Sat Jun 7 01:53:35 2008

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Kuroda tosses first complete game as Dodgers blank Cubs

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Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Hiroki Kuroda threw the first complete game and shutout of his major league career, as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Chicago Cubs, 3-0.

Kuroda (3-5) scattered four hits over his time on the hill, and set a career- high with 11 strikeouts.

"Since we've been losing I'm really glad I made it nine innings," Kuroda said. "I changed my grip since the last time and I had a better slider tonight."

Danny Ardoin had a single and finished with two RBI for Los Angeles, which won for just the fourth time in its last 15 games. Jeff Kent had an RBI double, but was also thrown out for arguing.

Sean Gallagher (3-2) absorbed the loss as he was touched for two runs on three hits in five innings.

Alfonso Soriano had a single for the Cubs, who suffered their second loss in 12 games. Chicago fell to 17-4 against the NL West with the defeat.

The Dodgers scored in the home first. Delwyn Young worked a one-out walk and came home as Kent followed with a double.

L.A. tacked on another run in the fourth. James Loney walked, Matt Kemp and Blake DeWitt singled and the bases were loaded. Ardoin then hit into an RBI grounder, as the Dodgers assumed a 2-0 advantage.

Kent was caught staring at the third strike to end the fifth inning. He didn't like the call and let home plate umpire Marty Foster know it. Kent was then thrown out and Luis Maza took over at second base.

Kevin Hart took to the mound for the Cubs in the sixth and gave up a leadoff single to Loney and walked Kemp. DeWitt put runners on the corners as he grounded into a fielder's choice. Ardoin laid down a bunt single to plate Loney, and the Dodgers were up 3-0.

Kuroda stayed on the hill for the ninth and got Mike Fontenot to ground out. Soriano went down swinging for the second out and Ryan Theriot was caught looking at the third strike to seal the deal.

Game Notes

The Royals traded shortstop Angel Berroa and cash to the Dodgers for minor league infielder Juan Rivera on Friday.