MLB: Kershaw takes control as Dodgers dominate the Reds to end three-game skid

Los Angeles, California - The Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Reds, playing like true World Series champions to snap a three-game losing streak in the process.

Justin Turner hit a solo home run in the Dodgers win over the Reds on Wednesday
Justin Turner hit a solo home run in the Dodgers win over the Reds on Wednesday  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The Dodgers got back into the win column led by their ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw's (33) seven dominant innings to easily take the 8-0 win on Wednesday.

Surprisingly, Kershaw hadn't won a game against the Reds in nearly five seasons. You'd never know that after seeing this outing, in which he allowed only four hits, with eight strikeouts and just one walk. His efforts came not a moment too soon for the Dodgers, as they came into the game looking to avoid their first four-game skid of the year.

Even though most of the Dodgers' runs were scored after Kershaw's exit, he was backed up with two runs, one of which came from Justin Turner's solo home run in the third inning. Two runs over seven innings were all Kershaw needed to get his fourth victory of the season. The rest of the runs poured in during the eighth, when the Dodgers put six more on the scoreboard to run away with the big win.

Are the MLB's Washington Nationals still for sale?
MLB Are the MLB's Washington Nationals still for sale?

Mookie Betts and AJ Pollock each had two hits in the game for a combined three RBI. And Chris Taylor also batted in a run, also scoring two himself.

For the Reds, Nick Senzel had an otherwise great day with his first-ever four-hit game. Unfortunately for him, none of those hits could at least break the eventual shutout. Only three other Reds were able to get just one hit apiece for the entire game.

The Dodgers head to the Midwest to face the Brewers on Thursday night, while the Reds head back home to welcome the Cubs into town.

Around the league

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo and the Tampa Bay Rays shutout the Athletics 2-0 on Wednesday
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo and the Tampa Bay Rays shutout the Athletics 2-0 on Wednesday  © IMAGO / Kyodo News

As a team, the Twins blasted six homers to win against the Indians 10-2, while the Marlins took two out of three games from the Brewers winning on Wednesday 6-2. The Royals overpowered the Pirates in Pittsburgh 9-3.

One run was all Jacob deGrom allowed, but it was also all the Red Sox needed to beat his Mets 1-0. And the Yankees also shutout the Orioles to get their second-straight win 7-0. The Nationals also got a big win over the Blue Jays, 8-2.

And it was a day of shutouts as the Rays blanked the A's 2-0, while the Braves hit five homers to beat the Cubs 10-0. The Phillies stepped up to beat the Cards, after Bryce Harper took a 97 mph pitch to the face, winning 5-3. And the Angels took a three-game set over the Rangers with a 4-3 win.

In Houston, the Astros rallied to come back against the Mariners 7-5, while the Padres put up double-digit runs to defeat the Diamondbacks 12-3. And out west, the Giants held off the Rockies at home 7-3.

The Tigers and White Sox game was postponed for a make-up date on Thursday.

On Thursday, the Red Sox are deep in the heart of Texas to play the Rangers, and the Rockies are down in the desert to face the Diamondbacks.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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