Dodgers send Snakes slithering back to Arizona

Los Angeles and Arizona are the two best teams in the National League, holding the second and third-best records in the major leagues.

After this week, it is clear that the Dodgers are a wee bit better.

LA swept the Snakes in the three-game set and did it with masterful starting pitching.

On the Fourth of July, Clayton Kershaw threw seven innings of shutout ball, gave up only two hits and struck out 11 in a 4-3 win. Kershaw is now 13-2 on the season.

Wednesday, Alex Wood continued his magical season with seven shutout innings, 10 strikeouts and surrendered just three hits in a 1-0 victory. Wood is now 10-0 with a 1.67 ERA. Wood is pitching better than Kershaw, which is mind-boggling.

Last night, spinner Rich Hill went seven strong innings, gave up just one run on two hits and struck out nine batters in a dramatic come-from-behind 5-4 win.

The Dodgers won it with a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth keyed by singles by Yasiel Puig, Cory Seager and a walkoff single by Chris Taylor bunched around four walks issued by Arizona closer Fernando Rodney, who couldn't find the strike zone.

When the dust had settled and the Gatorade coolers were empty, the Dodgers held a 5.5 game lead in the division with Kansas City coming into town to wrap up the first half.