Kershaw, Dodgers Take Care of Braves, 6-1

Los Angeles Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw scattered three hits and struck out 12 over seven innings as the Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-1 in game one of their National League Division Series.

Kershaw allowed two of the Braves' three hits in the fourth inning when Atlanta scored their only run on a single by Chris Johnson.

But by that time the Dodgers had five runs on the board, scoring two in the second inning and then got two more in the third on a two run homer by Adrian Gonzales.

Braves' starter Kris Medlen, who allowed only four runs in five starts in September, lasted just four innings and gave up five runs on nine hits.

Gonzales, Mark Ellis, A. J. Ellis and Yasiel Puig each had two hits for the Dodgers, who tallied eleven hits in all.

The Dodgers will send Zach Greinke (15-4, 2.63) to the mound tomorrow.  Atlanta will counter with lefty Mike Minor (13-9, 3.21).