Clayton Kershaw’s winning streak snapped in 2-1 loss to Giants

All streaks come to an end, even the really good ones such as Clayton Kershaw’s beating up on the Giants.

Kershaw went 5-0 against the Giants last season and had won his last six decisions against them overall.

Tuesday night he again pitched well, but a second-inning mistake to Giants outfielder Brett Pill was hit for a two-run homer, and it proved enough to leave him and the Dodgers with a 2-1 defeat before an announced Dodger Stadium crowd of 32,799.

That brought an end to several streaks by Kershaw. Besides his run against the Giants, he had won 12 consecutive decisions at Dodger Stadium (last previous loss came April 16, 2011). And he had won 10 consecutive decisions overall.

Kershaw (2-1) went eight strong innings, allowing the two runs on just five hits and a walk. He struck out seven. Maybe he just needed to oppose Tim Lincecum again.

Twice the Dodgers had late opportunities to tie the game, but manager Don Mattingly’s continued fascination with the sacrifice bunt backfired each time.

Already down 2-1 in the seventh, the Dodgers got leadoff singles by Juan Rivera and James Loney. With A.J. Ellis on deck, Juan Uribe was asked to bunt. He did, right in front of the plate. The ball was scooped up by catcher Buster Posey, who immediately started a double play, firing to third baseman Joaquin Arias, who then threw in time to first to edge Uribe. This was followed by an Ellis pop up.

The Dodgers went to work against Ryan Vogelsong again in the eighth with a leadoff walk and bunt single by Dee Gordon. This time Mark Ellis got the sacrifice bunt down properly, but all that did was leave first base open for the Giants to intentionally walk Matt Kemp.

Left-handed reliever Javier Lopen then got Andre Ethier to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

The Dodgers scored their only run against Vogelsong in the second inning on doubles by Ethier and Loney.

Vogelsong (1-2) went 7 1/3 innings, allowing the one run on eight hits and three walks (two intentional). He struck out one.

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Clayton Kershaw’s winning streak snapped in 2-1 loss to Giants