By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO —The Dodgers increased their lead to 3 games in the National league West  taking the series with a 4-2 win over the Giants.

In a game that looked nothing like the first two games of the series, Giants starter Yusmeiro Petit and Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw matched up in an old fashioned pitchers Duel in front 41,932 fans in attendance at AT&T Park. It was Kershaw who pitched the better of the two. Neither side’s hitters were too fond of the strike zone of home plate umpire D.J Reyburn that led to a few animated discussions at home plate.

For Petit (5-4), he went 7 innings, striking out 8, but ran into trouble in the sixth Adrian Gonzalez doubled to deep center and then the big blow came off the bat of Matt Kemp who hit his 20^th home run of the season. Kemp delivered at towering drive well over the left centerfield fence to put the Dodgers ahead 4-1. Petit had retired 9 straight before surrendering the back to back hits to Gonzalez and Kemp

Kershaw (19-3) lasted 8 innings, he walked 1 and struck out 9 . Kershaw became the Major League’s first 19 game winner. “They made me compete today, made me make big pitches.” Kershaw said following the game.  Kershaw remains dominant at AT&T Park, he improved his record to 8-2 in 11 starts there.

Kenley Jensen came on in the 9^th getting the save pitching a perfect 9^th.

The Dodgers opened the scoring in the second Hanley Ramirez led off the by beating out a slow roller to shortstop for a single one batter later Juan Uribe singled to right Hunter Pence trying to throw out Ramirez at third bounced it in the dirt where Pablo Sandoval was unable to handle the throw which got by Sandoval allowing Ramirez to streak towards the plate and slide safely on Petit’s errant throw home. Petit was backing up the throw. The Dodgers added a run on A.J Ellis deep sacrifice fly to right scoring Juan Uribe.

The Dodgers threatened to add on in the third, with back to back infield singles by Gordon and Puig to start the inning. The next hitter Adrian Gonzalez flied out to deep left and Matt Kemp hit into a double play to shortstop to end the threat.

The Giants had their chances against Kershaw.

In the third, With one out Kershaw walked Petit, Blanco struck out looking, Joe Panik stroked a single to right center, Buster Posey then drove a liner to gap to score Petit. But Posey was thrown out by Puig trying to stretch the single into a double ending the inning.

With 1 out in the seventh the Giants had back to back singles by Andrew Susac and Joaquin Arias, the next batter, Gregor Blanco struck out and Matt Duffy on as a pinch hitter for Petit dropped a single out of the reach of center fielder Yasiel Puig who collided with right fielder Matt Kemp and the ball fell between the two scoring Susac.  Angel Pagan grounded out to shortstop to end the inning and the last real threat the giants would muster against the Dodgers

With the win the Dodgers have one 6 out of their last 7 against the Giants.

Up next, the Giants will be in Arizona tomorrow. Ryan Voglesong (8-10, 3.90) vs left hander Wade Miley (7-11, 4.28)