Dodgers' Kershaw becomes season's 1st 20-game winner

Clayton Kershaw tossed five solid innings on Friday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs to become this season's first 20-game winner in the majors.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lefty was touched up for three runs on seven hits and struck out nine over the five frames. He was given the benefit of being spotted a hearty 6-0 lead before even taking the mound.

Kershaw becomes the sixth pitcher since 1961 to win 20 games in his first 26 starts, joining the likes of Don Drysdale, Denny McLain, Juan Marichal, Bob Welch and Pedro Martinez in accomplishing the feat. He also becomes only the second Dodgers hurler to record two 20-win seasons since Claude Osteen (1969, 1972).

The 26-year-old's next scheduled start is Wednesday vs. the San Francisco Giants and he may be called upon again for one final regular-season start on short rest if the team's division title, or playoff hopes, are still unsettled by next Sunday.

The Dodgers pounded the Cubs 14-5 to temporarily take a three-game lead on the Giants for the NL West lead. Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot with a Milwaukee Brewers loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates later Friday night.