Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw can’t find a way in 2-1 loss to Mets

The Dodgers reached the halfway point to their season Friday night and Clayton Kershaw probably figures the second half has to be better.

The Dodgers’ ace pitcher threw another strong game and again came away without a victory. That’s five consecutive starts without a win.

Ultimately he was not involved in the final decision, the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss to the Mets fell to Kenley Jansen, but it did leave Kershaw with a slightly unimaginable losing record (5-6) halfway through the season.

The score was tied 1-1 in the ninth inning when Manager Don Mattingly went to his closer. Jansen was greeted by a bloop double down the left-field line from Lucas Duda. Wilmer Flores sent a comebacker to Jansen but the ball deflected off his glove for what was ruled an infield hit, allowing Duda to take third.

That was all Kevin Plawecki -- these are the 2015 Mets -- needed. He lofted a fly to deep center field to sacrifice Duda home with the winning run. It was the first loss of the season for Jansen (2-1).

Despite the loss, the Dodgers have a three-game lead over the Giants in the National League West halfway through the season with a 45-36 record.

The Mets came in reeling, have lost 10 of their last 14 games, and with an injury-riddled lineup. They had also lost 13 of their last 16 against the Dodgers. None of it mattered Friday.

The Dodgers scored quickly, which proved to be highly deceptive. Adrian Gonzalez led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run off Mets rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard. For Gonzalez it was his 14th of the season.

The Dodgers got a leadoff double from Justin Turner in the third inning and stranded him. You could say it was a theme, although they never did get another hit off Syndergaard.

The rookie was making the 10th start of his career, but was in total command for the rest of his six innings. He gave up the two hits, walked two and struck out six.

Of course, by now Kershaw should be used to this non-support business. His last victory came on June 6. In his five starts since, he is 0-3 despite a 2.41 ERA.

The Mets got the run back against Kershaw in the fourth inning after John Mayberry Jr. lined a double past Turner at third. Kershaw hurt his cause with a wild pitch that allowed Mayberry to take third.

With the infield playing in, Flores singled under the glove of Gonzalez at first to score Mayberry and tie the score, 1-1.

The Dodgers managed only three hits on the night. Hansel Robles (2-2) picked up the win with two innings of relief and Jeurys Familia threw a perfect ninth to earn his 22nd save.