LOS ANGELES -- Having lost four in a row and their lead in the NL West , the Dodgers entered Friday night's series opener against the surging Padres needing to play with some urgency.

Who better to set the right tone than Clayton Kershaw ?

"We were talking a little bit today about intensity, and there's just no one more intense or focused than Clayton," manager Dave Roberts said beforehand. "He has a way of elevating people's focus and play. And so to have him tonight, first game of this series, he's the perfect guy."

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Kershaw delivered just what his team needed, holding the Padres to one run across six strong innings as the Dodgers reclaimed a share of first place in the division with a 3-2 victory at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles has taken six of its first ei

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