It was the first time it has ever happened in MLB history – the MVP from one league squaring off against the MVP from the other league.

On Saturday afternoon, 2014 NL MVP and Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw went head-to-head with 2014 AL MVP Mike Trout in front of a sold out Dodger Stadium crowd of 52,979 and it was as exactly as advertised – like two heavyweights squaring off in a title fight.

In the top of the first inning, Trout was the third Angels batter to come to the plate, with Kershaw already having disposed of newly-acquired right fielder Shane Victorino on a soft combacker and second baseman Johnny Giavotella on a ground out to short. And just like a surgeon, Kershaw struck out the best player in the game on four pitches, with the last being what Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully affectionately calls “Public Enemy Number One” – a 74-MPH curveball that starts out two feet out of the strike zone and ends up in the catcher’s glove right over the heart of the plate.

Angels superstar Mike Trout was completely helpless against Kershaw’s devastating curveball – as are most hitters. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Although Trout reached base in his second at-bat against Kershaw, it was on a 5-4 fielders choice force out to put MLB’s home run leader (with 32) at 0 for 2 in his first two at-bats against the 27-year-old left-hander.

Trout made things interesting in the top of the seventh inning when he hit a line drive to right that Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig had difficulty picking up off the bat in the bright sunlight. Instead of charging the ball, Puig took a couple steps back until he found the fly ball and had to charge in and to his left to make a spectacular diving catch. Had Puig missed the ball and because of his incredible speed, the soon-to-be 24-year-old (on Friday) Vineland, New Jersey native probably would have had an inside-the-park home run, but instead was now 0 for 3 in what would be his final at-bat of the day against Kershaw.

Kershaw was indeed “Lights Out” on Saturday afternoon.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Ironically, Trout came up in the top of the ninth inning representing the tying run – a pitcher’s nightmare – but Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck him out on a filthy Mariano Rivera-esque 94-MPH cutter. And though Jansen would give up an RBI single to Angels first baseman Albert Pujols to make it a 3-1 game, Jansen got Angels second baseman Erick Aybar to pop out to his counterpart Howie Kendrick to end the game, thus securing the win for Kershaw (9-6) while picking up his 19th save of the season and second in less than 24-hours.

In addition to winning the Battle of the Bests, Kershaw also extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 37 innings and hasn’t allowed a run since July 3 against the Mets at Dodger Stadium. In his eight innings of work on Saturday, Kershaw allowed no runs and only two hits while walking one and striking out seven. In doing so he lowered his ERA to 2.37, which is now the fifth-best in the National League.

The Dodgers got their runs on a sacrifice fly by Dodgers left fielder Scott Van Slyke that chased Angels starter Andrew Heaney from the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. This was followed by a two-run home run to straightaway center field by Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal off of Angels right-hander Fernando Salas. It was Grandal’s 15th home run of the season and came on the third of three consecutive change-ups by Salas. And although Grandal is a switch-hitter, each of his 15 home runs this season have come off of right-handed pitchers – something that Angels bench coach Dino Ebel apparently overlooked when he pulled the left-handed throwing Heaney.

According to hittrackeronline.com, Grandal’s home run to dead center traveled 420 feet. It was his 15th home run of the season – all of which have come while batting left-handed.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Ebel was filling in for Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who had been ejected in the second innings by home plate umpire Chris Segal for arguing balls and strikes. It was Scioscia’s second ejection of the season.

While there may be some merit to Scioscia’s argument that home plate umpire Chris Segal’s strike zone was a bit inconsistent, it was the same for both teams. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Saturday’s win puts the Dodgers at 59-45 on the season (.567). It also improved their home record to a very impressive 36-18. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Giants also won on Saturday to remain a precarious 1.5 games behind the Dodgers.

The Dodgers will go for the series sweep of Angels later today when they send recently acquired right-hander Mat Latos (4-7, 4.48 ERA) to the mound to square off against Angels right-hander Cory Rasmus (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Rasmus has made only one relief appearance this season with only one inning pitched. He is filling in for Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson who announced on Saturday that he will undergo season-ending surgery for bone spurs in his left elbow. As such, Sunday’s game will be a bullpen game for Scioscia and his team.