The Tomahawk Times - Kuroda hurls 1-hitter at Braves, Dodgers win 3-0

LOS ANGELES -- Hiroki Kuroda came within one batter of a perfect game on Monday, tossing a 3-0 one-hit shut-out at the Atlanta Braves that gives the Los Angeles Dodgers a share of first place for the first time since the season's first week.

It was masterful performance for the 33-year old veteran, who joined the Dodgers after an 11-year career in Japan as a member of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

Kuroda (5-6) retired the first 21 batters before Mark Teixeira doubled to start the eighth inning. It was the only base runner on the nith for Atlanta against Kuroda, who struck out six in notching his second shut-out of the season.

Braves starter Jorge Campillo allowed just one hit over the first four innings, before Nomar Garciaparra put the Dodgers on the board with a two-run homer in the fifth. Matt Kemp added an RBI single in the inning to make a 3-0 nothing game.

Campillo (3-4) allowed three earned runs on five hits over seven innings, walking three and striking out two.

The win moved the Dodgers (44-45) into a tie with the scuffling Arizona Diamondbacks, who got off to a 20-8 start throgh the end of April before faltering to a 24-37 record since.  

Atlanta (42-48) has dropped five of their seven games this month, with Monday's defeat making it impossible for the Braves get back to .500 before the All-Star break.

Before the game, the Braves recalled outfielder Jeff Francoeur from Double-A Mississippi. Francoeur had a four-hit day on Sunday and was hitting .588 (7-for-13) during the three games since being optioned out by Atlanta on Friday. 

While a player is ususally required to stay down for 10-days, a rash of injuries opened the door for Francoeur to return early. He is expected to be in the starting line-up on Tuesday.

The Braves placed infielder Omar Infante and pitchers  Manny Acosta and Jeff Bennett on the 15-day disabled list following the marathon 17-inning win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

On Deck: The series against the Dodgers continues on Tuesday, as two talented young hurlers will go up against one another. Jair Jurrjens will make the start for Atlanta, while the Dodgers will counter with Chad Billingsley. Game time is set for 10:10 PM EST.