Herausforderungen » as given the day off, and Nick Punto

MIAMI -- Pitching with a big lead in the eighth inning, Clayton Kershaw bounced a curve in the dirt, then spun in disgust and kicked the mound as if he had just lost the game. Kershaw is unaccustomed even to one-pitch lapses, and he overcame the occasional difficulty he had Thursday, pitching eight innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win their third game in a row by beating the Miami Marlins 6-0. Kershaw (13-7) allowed five hits and lowered his ERA to 1.72, best in the majors. Miamis leadoff batter reached in five innings against the left-hander, but the Marlins hit into three double plays and went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. By Kershaws standards, that made it a subpar effort. "I was terrible the first couple of innings. I didnt have command," he said. "It could have gone a lot differently. The game could have been out of hand pretty quick." Kershaw walked Christian Yelich to start the game, and the first two batters reached against him in the second inning. But the Marlins rank last in runs and hitting for a reason, and Kershaw is a Cy Young Award contender for a reason. "Ive seen him a lot better," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "He looked like his command was not there with his fastball, but whenever we did get in a situation with a guy on, he executed his pitches and was able to keep us at bay." Former All-Star closer Brian Wilson made his first major-league appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery and pitched the ninth for Los Angeles, allowing one hit and striking out two. The game was his first since April 2012. "It was long overdue, a very arduous process, but Im glad I went through it so I could appreciate baseball even more," Wilson said. "I felt comfortable. I felt like I hadnt skipped a beat." Wilson completed the Dodgers 17th shutout, most in the majors. Miami was shut out for the 15th time. The Dodgers (75-52) climbed 23 games above .500 for the first time since 2009. They went 5-2 on their two-city trip and have won 22 of their past 25 road games. "Weve got the perfect mix right now -- great starting pitching, timely hitting and a lockdown bullpen," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. "It creates a lot of wins." They improved to 28-5 since the All-Star break and begin a series at home Friday against AL East leader Boston. Los Angeles Yasiel Puig hit a double that struck the centre-field wall above the 418-foot sign, scored a run and had a sacrifice fly. But he finished only 2 for 15 in the series, dropping his average to .346. Puig was hit by a pitch in the upper left arm in the ninth but stayed in the game. He became dehydrated during Wednesdays game, limped at times and received intravenous fluids afterward. Kershaw broke a scoreless tie when he hit a two-out single in the fourth to drive in the first of the Dodgers three runs in the inning. Hes tied for the major-league lead among pitchers with eight RBIs. That was the only run Los Angeles needed, thanks to his pitching. He struck out six, including Yelich three times. "Hes one of the best pitchers in the game for a reason," the rookie said. "I found out that today pretty quick." Henderson Alvarez (2-3) went five innings and allowed five runs, all of them scoring with two outs. Puig barely missed a home run leading off the fourth inning, when his drive struck a foot below the edge of the wall for a double. "Its almost not fair to hit a ball that far and it doesnt go out," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said with a smile. With two out Alvarez pitched around Juan Uribe, walking him to load the bases, but the tactic backfired when Kershaw hit an RBI single. Carl Crawford followed with a two-run double for a 3-0 lead. The Dodgers scored again in the fifth on back-to-back two-out doubles by Andre Ethier and Ellis, followed by Skip Schumakers RBI single. Notes: Hanley Ramirez was given the day off, and Nick Punto made his 25th start at SS for the Dodgers. Said Mattingly of the 5-foot-9 Punto still playing the position at age 35: "Chihuahuas live longer than big dogs." ... Dodgers RHP Ricky Nolasco, scheduled to pitch Friday, is 1-2 with an 8.16 ERA in three starts against Boston. ... Miamis Giancarlo Stanton had a double and is batting .316 with 13 homers at home. On the road he is batting .184 with three homers. Cheap NCAA Jerseys .com) - Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James will sit out Thursdays game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with left knee soreness. NCAA Jerseys For Sale . The All-Pro left tackle agreed to a five-year contract with the Eagles on Wednesday. Peters was signed for 2014, and his new deal adds four years through 2018. https://www.cheapncaajerseysjustwholesale.com/. Pikul Khueanpet scored early in the second half and Kanjana Sungngoen made it 2-0 in the 65th minute of the playoff. Tuyet Dong narrowed the margin with goal four minutes from time. The win gave Thailand fifth place at the Asian Cup and the last of the continents qualifying spots for the 2015 Womens World Cup in Canada. Wholesale College Jerseys . Seriously. Seven years of losing has brought many different faces, players and management, to the annual pre-season get-to-know-the-team round up. Cheap NCAA Jerseys China . Louis Blues are reportedly taking restricted free agent forward Vladimir Sobotka to arbitration.Butch Harmon describes how the players will feel before teeing off at Royal Troon and gives his predictions for The Open, live on Sky Sports. Everyones a little different in their preparations before the first tee. Most will say theyre nervous, but I feel its more the case of anxiety and being amped up ready to start.Theyve waited all week for this day to come, some will warm up for just 30 minutes and others will take up to an hour and 20. Theres then a putting green on the way to the start and youre just a little anxious. Henrik Stenson is one of my picks for the week. If he can keep his head in the game concentration wise over 72 holes, he has an excellent chance. Butch Harmon The players have to slow themselves down, as they want to run up there and hit that first shot. Those who take their time and just relax or are playing with someone they know are in the best mindset as they get underway.You go there already knowing what club youre going to hit, whether thats an iron, wood or driver, as youve been practising with it on the range before you go there. Then its time to get it on!Predictions Watch The Open Watch the first round of The Open for free, no contract Rickie Fowler hasnt been feeling very well and Wednesday was the first day he came out to his some balls and play a little golf. He has been a little under the weather, but hes feeling a little better.He is in a great group with Jason Day, the world No 1 and the Masters champion Danny Willett and therell be a lot of spectators out and about following that one. Here are all the ways to watch The Open with Sky Sports Rory McIlroy is someone who hasnt been hitting the ball as consistently as what he used to, but hes really looking like hes ready this week.ddddddddddddI thought Martin Kaymer showed signs he was getting back in to form last week at the Scottish Open, where I thought he was fantastic. This is his kind of golf course and he has also been handed a nice draw with DJ and Russell Knox.Henrik Stensons another afternoon starter and he is one of my picks for the week. If he can keep his head in the game concentration wise over 72 holes, he has an excellent chance. Could Stenson claim a maiden major this week? With the coverage on Sky Sports starting at 6.30am, the later starters will sit and watch our rolling coverage to see how the ball is bouncing along the fairways and what clubs people are playing at certain holes.Thats the beauty of The 145th Open, were going to give it all to you! Watch The Open live throughout the week on Sky Sports - your new home of The Open Also See: Ways to watch The Open Royal Troon latest news The Open: Wednesday recap Golf live on Sky Sports ' ' '