Kershaw settles after rough start to lead Dodgers past Reds 7-3

Clayton Kershaw navigated a rough start and settled into dominance to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, a win that kept the Dodgers alone atop the National League West. Kershaw allowed a run in the first inning but retired the next 14 batters, striking out six over five innings to earn his fifth consecutive victory in a start that manager Dave Roberts said showed veteran adaptability.

The Reds jumped on Kershaw immediately when Spencer Steer led off with a double and Miguel Andújar drove in the run. Kershaw, pitching on four days rest so Shohei Ohtani could start Wednesday, said after the game his slider was not as sharp early and he "didn't have a lot of stuff." He added that he and catcher Will Smith adjusted by mixing splitters and curveballs and being creative with sequencing. Game data showed Kershaw's slider later produced several whiffs, and he finished with just 72 pitches and no walks.

Los Angeles answered the early deficit in the bottom of the first when Mookie Betts walked, Freddie Freeman doubled and Betts scored on a throwing error by Reds left fielder Austin Hays. The Dodgers took the lead for good in the...