TORONTO – R.A. Dickey’s longest outing of the season was wasted as the Toronto Blue Jays fell to Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
Kershaw allowed two earned runs over seven innings as the Dodgers (15-15) snapped the Blue Jays’ four-game win streak.
The 28-year-old Kershaw matched his season-high with 10 strikeouts and allowed eight hits while improving to 4-1 on the season.
Darwin Barney had an RBI single and Kevin Pillar added and RBI double for Toronto’s offence.
The Blue Jays (16-16) have now lost six straight starts by Dickey (1-4) this season.
L.A.’s offence got to the knuckleballer in the third inning.
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After Justin Turner reached to load the bases on a fielder’s choice, Chase Utley scored on a passed ball from Blue Jays catcher Josh Thole, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Adrian Gonzalez then singled to score a pair of runs.
Joc Pederson opened the scoring in the second inning taking Dickey’s 2-1 pitch deep over the centre field wall for his fifth home run of the season.
Dickey allowed four runs, two earned on six hits while striking out three.
Barney’s second inning single scored Justin Smoak to tie the game 1-1.
Kershaw, who was making his first career start against the Blue Jays, retired the following eight Toronto hitters in order following Barney’s RBI single.
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The Blue Jays didn’t get to the left-hander again until the fifth inning when Kevin Pillar’s double to left scored Barney from first.
Pillar, who hit a game-winning three-run home run in Friday’s 5-2 win, has now reached base in 12 straight home games.
With Chad Girodo on to pitch in the eighth, Turner added to the Dodgers lead going deep of the Blue Jays reliever for his first home run of the season.
Pillar showed off his defensive prowess in the ninth, making a diving catch in centre field to rob Carl Crawford of extra bases.
Howie Kendrick scored from third on the play.
Girodo and right-hander Joe Biagini each pitched an inning of relief in the loss.
Notes: The Blue Jays conclude their seven-game homestand on Sunday afternoon against the Dodgers. RHP Marco Estrada (1-2) gets the ball for the Blue Jays while the Dodgers will counter with RHP Ross Stripling (0-2). Toronto will then travel to San Francisco where they begin a six-game road trip on Monday.
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