Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw leaves start with apparent injury

SAN FRANCISCO – Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw left his start in San Francisco with an obvious injury.

Kershaw appeared to have tweaked something as he warmed up for Thursday’s fifth inning. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner grimaced and pointed to his dugout before cautiously walking off the field with his coach.

The 34-year-old Kershaw had 66 passes in four innings, allowing one earned run and three hits with four strikeouts. He left with a 4-2 lead.

Earlier this season, Kershaw was on the injured list with pelvic inflammatory disease. He was 7-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts per day.

right-handed Phil Bickford came with relief. Leading in the NL West Dodgers win the fifth consecutive victory.