Clayton Kershaw keeps Giants quiet in Dodgers’ 3-1 victory

LOS ANGELES - Clayton Kershaw became the first 18-game winner in the majors, pitching eight stingy innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 win against the Giants on Sunday.

Yasmani Grandal homered and drove in all three runs for the NL West champions. Kershaw (18-4) allowed only Mac Williamson’s home run in the eighth. He gave up eight hits, did not walk a batter and struck out six.

Moments after the final out, Cleveland ace Corey Kluber also earned his 18th win to take over sole possession of the American League lead.

Kershaw, bidding to win his fourth NL Cy Young Award, lowered his league-best ERA to 2.21. His six strikeouts gave him 200 on the season, making him the first Dodgers pitcher with seven 200-strikeout seasons.

Brandon Morrow worked a perfect ninth for his second save.

Grandal hit a sacrifice fly in the first against Chris Stratton (3-4) and a two-run shot in the fourth.

It was Grandal’s 21st home run of the year, giving the Dodgers a team-record 212 this season.

Stratton went four innings, allowing five hits and two walks. The rookie right-hander was 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA in his previous six starts.

IN THE DOGHOUSE

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remained frustrated and irritated with OF Yasiel Puig for getting thrown out attempting to steal second to end Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Giants. Puig was benched Sunday.

“It’s important that the guys I write in the lineup, I can trust them,” Roberts said. “Whatever message he gets from it, I’m putting the guys out there that I think give us the best chance to win today.”

Puig improved his relationship with teammates and the coaching staff this season, not that it’s been all smooth sailing.

“There have been some things that you look back that I’ve kept notes of,” Roberts said. “But you have to have the trust in all your players.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Giants second baseman Joe Panik was held out with a sore elbow after he was hit by a pitch Friday. Panik did start Saturday, though.

Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto, who is scheduled to open a three-game series today in Arizona, is 10-3 with a 3.40 ERA in his career against the Diamondbacks.