Dodgers 4, Giants 1: Clayton Kershaw tossed eight strong innings and A.J. Ellis delivered a tiebreaking three-run double with two outs in the ninth as visiting Los Angeles won the rubber match of the three-game series.

Yasiel Puig and Adrian Gonzalez opened the ninth with consecutive singles against Sergio Romo (3-4), who walked Andre Ethier before facing Ellis with two outs. Ellis cleared the bases with a liner into the left-center field gap, helping the Dodgers win their sixth straight series.

Kershaw (8-5) lowered his ERA to a major-league best 1.89 after yielding one run on three hits and Kenley Jansen worked around a two-out single in the ninth for his ninth save in 12 opportunities. The Giants lost for the 11th time in their last 13 games and dropped 6 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona in the National League West.

Los Angeles took an early lead in the second when Hanley Ramirez hit a leadoff triple and scored on Ethier's RBI single off Chad Gaudin, who allowed one run on four hits while striking out nine over seven innings. Ramirez went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 18 games.

The Giants answered in the third when Andres Torres’ sacrifice fly scored Guillermo Quiroz, who doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a wild pitch. San Francisco had runners at second and third with two outs in the seventh, but Cole Gillespie flied out to center on the first pitch he saw from Kershaw.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dodgers CF Matt Kemp missed his second straight game with an irritated left shoulder, but is expected to return to the starting lineup Monday against Arizona. … Newly acquired RHP Ricky Nolasco will make his Dodgers debut Tuesday, with LHP Chris Capuano moving to the bullpen. … Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval went 0-for-4 and has three hits in his last 42 at-bats.