SEATTLE — Clayton Kershaw has rarely needed much run support to pull out a win. The Los Angeles Dodgers made sure Sunday he had more than enough for a milestone victory.
The Dodgers scored five runs before Kershaw took the mound, and the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner shut down the Seattle Mariners over seven innings for his 150th career win in a 12-1 rout.
The offensive explosion came a day after the Mariners beat Los Angeles on a 10th-inning, game-ending balk.
“To lose it in that situation is tough. And to come right back on a day game, there could be a little hangover effect,” Kershaw said. “Our guys, coming out in the first inning like that is a big testament to them. That was awesome today.”
Kershaw (6-5) gave up one run on four hits, struck out seven and walked one. The 30-year-old lefty improved to 150-69.
Justin Turner tied career highs with four hits and five RBIs, including a three-run homer in the ninth inning with position player Andrew Romine on the mound. Turner extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
Enrique Hernandez had an RBI single as part of the Dodgers’ five-run first inning. He added his 18th home run and a bases-loaded walk as the Dodgers won for the third time in four games.
Cody Bellinger pushed his own hitting streak to 12 games with three hits and two RBIs for Los Angeles.
“It was an outstanding job by the entire offense today,” Turner said. “I feel like up and down the lineup guys are all feeling pretty good. ”
The Dodgers tagged Seattle starter Roenis Elias (2-1). He had been on the disabled list with a left triceps strain since July 31 and was activated to start against the Dodgers. Elias lasted three innings, giving up the five runs and seven hits.
“Elias usually goes out there and competes and lets it fly and takes his chances. We didn’t see today that in the first inning,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “You get behind early like that to a really good club it can get ugly.”
Los Angeles kept adding to the lead against the Mariners bullpen, scoring a run in five of the last six innings.
Ryon Healy had two of Seattle’s five hits, including a run-scoring single in the fourth.
ROSTER MOVE
Before the game, the Mariners recalled RHP Chasen Bradford from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned INF Gordon Beckham and LHP James Pazos to Tacoma.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: SS Manny Machado left the game after being hit on the wrist by Romine in the ninth. Manager Dave Roberts said Machado got X-rays as a precaution, but he was expected to be fine.
Mariners: LHP James Paxton, on the 10-day DL with a left arm contusion, played catch for the first time since getting hit by a line drive on Tuesday. “I felt good. No problems,” said Paxton, who threw from about 70 feet during the session. … C Chris Hermann left the game in the third inning with a right knee contusion after being hit by a foul ball.
PERFECT ENDING
Los Angeles reliever Zac Rosscup struck out the side in the ninth inning on nine pitches.
UP NEXT
Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (8-11, 5.62) will make his 399th career start Monday against Houston. Hernandez had been demoted to the bullpen and made his first career relief appearance last week but is starting in place of the injured Paxton. “Felix doesn’t have to go out there and shut the world out — he just has to be competitive and throw the ball over the plate,” Servais said.
