Bumgarner helps Giants shutout Dodgers in 3rd straight game for series sweep

San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner continues to get the best of Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The reigning World Series MVP tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings Thursday, allowing seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out six as the Giants held on for a 4-0 win to sweep the three-game series.

Bumgarner, whose solo shot in the third inning anointed him the first pitcher to ever homer off Kershaw, improved to 2-0 with a 1.34 ERA in three starts this season opposing the three-time NL Cy Young winner.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Kershaw entered Thursday's outing having allowed 11 runs over his last three starts, and was tagged for four off seven hits while striking out six. The 27-year-old fell to 2-3 with the loss and has recorded just one win over his past six starts.

"Madison pitched really well," Kershaw told reporters. "Tip your cap again."

The Dodgers haven't scored a run since Sunday - a span of 31 innings. They were outscored 10-0 by the Giants, going 0-for-17 in the series with runners in scoring position, and have plated just two runs over their last five games.

"We have professional guys who continue to work," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "They're not going to panic. We're not going to panic and we're going to be fine."

The four runs allowed were the most for Kershaw in 14 starts at AT&T Park and the Dodgers dropped to 2-7 against San Francisco this season.