CLAYTON KERSHAW had 12 strikeouts in the Dodgers’ 6-2 win over the Angels on Thursday night (Flicker/Malingerer).

Clayton Kershaw proved again on Thursday night why he is considered the best pitcher in baseball. He threw seven innings of three-hit ball against the Angels, striking out 12 batters and improving his record to 12-2 as the Dodgers got a split in the Freeway Series with a 6-2 win over the Halos in Anaheim.

Three Dodger players – Joc Pederson, Chase Utley and Yasiel Puig – got home runs as the northern team outhit the Orange County squad 9-6. The Angels scored one run in the fourth and one in the eighth inning.

Cameron Maybin was the top Angel hitter, with two hits in four at-bats. He scored one run. Yunel Escobar reached base three times with one hit and two walks. Kole Calhoun and Albert Pujols each drove in a run.

Angel starter J.C. Ramirez (7-6) lasted 5.2 innings, yielding seven hits and six runs (five of them earned). He struck out three and walked one while giving up all three Dodger home runs.

The Angels are now 42-41 and remain in second in the American League West. The Dodgers are 53-28 and are still in first in the NL West, 2.5 games ahead of Arizona.

On Friday the Seattle Mariners come to Anaheim. Parker Bridwell (2-0) will make the start for the home team, with Ariel Miranda (6-4) going for the M’s.