Recap: Los Angeles vs. Washington

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Clayton Kershaw pitched 8 2/3 shutout innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the Washington Nationals, 2-0, in the second tilt of a three-game series.

Kershaw (4-2) had 11 strikeouts and allowed just five hits and a walk in his outing. The 25-year-old lefty has been effective as of late, going 2-0 while giving up just three runs -- two earned -- over 30 2/3 innings in his last four starts. However, in that same span, the Dodgers have scored just seven runs.

"They're an aggressive team, and once I got ahead I was able to throw some pitches out of the strike zone and get them to chase," Kershaw said.

Kenley Jansen got the final out to notch his second save.

Andre Ethier drove in two runs for Los Angeles, which recorded just four hits, but it was all the offense needed.

Ryan Zimmerman was 3-for-4, but the Nationals were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base. Starter Dan Haren (4-4) surrendered two runs on four hits over seven frames.

Kershaw was plunked to start the third and Matt Kemp singled two batters later. Both of them advanced when Haren threw a wild pitch. After Adrian Gonzalez struck out, Ethier hit a liner to center, bringing both of them home.

"I really wasn't trying to throw Ethier a strike. I was trying to throw the ball in the dirt and off the plate. I made a mistake and he made me pay," Haren said.

Kershaw got two quick outs in the ninth, as Zimmerman and Ian Desmond both flied out. However, Adam LaRoche singled in a 10-pitch at-bat, and after throwing 132 pitches, Kershaw was replaced by Jansen. LaRoche advanced to second on a fielder's indifference, but Tyler Moore struck out to end the game.