By Canadian Press

Kershaw passes Koufax on wins list, Dodgers thump Blue Jays

Aug 20, 2019 | 10:49 PM

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw passed Sandy Koufax for most wins by a Dodgers left-hander, Will Smith hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the third inning, and Los Angeles routed the Toronto Blue Jays 16-3 Tuesday night.

Kershaw (13-2) earned his 166th career victory, breaking a tie with Koufax for fifth on the club’s wins list. He allowed three runs and six hits — including two homers by rookie sensation Bo Bichette — in six innings, struck out six and walked three.

Cody Bellinger notched his 100th RBI of the season, driving in three with a double that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 8-2 in the fourth. He was thrown out at third to end the inning and walked off as fans chanted, “MVP! MVP!”

Pitching on Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw allowed a homer to — of all people — Derek Fisher while falling into a 2-0 hole. But the Dodgers backed their eight-time All-Star with four double plays and slugged five homers while pounding out 15 hits.

Los Angeles broke out for five runs with two outs in the third to get the blowout going.

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A.J. Pollock hit a solo shot, Smith followed with his 11th homer and Corey Seager added a two-run double in the third that chased Sean Reid-Foley, who entered in the second after Buddy Boshers served as the opener.

Reid-Foley (2-4) gave up five runs and five hits in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked two.

Max Muncy added a solo shot, his 32nd, in the sixth off Justin Shafer, who then issued consecutive walks to Smith and Bellinger. That set up Chris Taylor’s three-run blast to left, giving the Dodgers a 12-3 lead.

Taylor came off the injured list earlier in the day after being out since July 15 with a broken left forearm.

Kiké Hernandez also returned from the IL after being out since July 29 with a sprained left hand. He was 1 for 5 with two strikeouts.

Visiting Los Angeles for the first time since 2007, Toronto dropped its third in a row for the first time since July 4-6.

The Blue Jays ran through six pitchers before sending newly called up shortstop Richard Ureña to the mound in the eighth. That’s when the Dodgers tacked on four more runs, extending their lead to 16-3. Taylor had an RBI single before Joc Pederson’s three-run homer.

Bichette homered leading off the sixth against Kershaw, giving the 21-year-old rookie his first career multihomer game. He has seven homers through 21 career games.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned to the Blue Jays’ lineup after dealing with left knee inflammation since last weekend. He had a pair of singles and two walks.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: INF Kristopher Negrón went on the 10-day IL with neck stiffness. … OF Alex Verdugo (strained oblique) is still having pain and hasn’t resumed baseball activities in Arizona. He won’t return until at least Sept. 1. … LHP Rich Hill (strained flexor tendon) will throw a bullpen session this week. He’s been out two months.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: They had yet to announce a starter for Tuesday.

Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (10-3, 3.31) returns home where he is 5-0 with a 2.33 ERA.

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Beth Harris, The Associated Press