Dodgers are back to .500 with victory over Giants

The last time the Dodgers had as many wins as losses, Jonathan Broxton was still closing for them. Clayton Kershaw had only three wins.

The Dodgers returned to the .500 mark for the first time on May 2 with a 3-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night at AT&T Park.

The team’s 15th victory in 18 games came behind seven scoreless innings by journeyman left-hander Dana Eveland, who held the Giants to three hits and three walks.

The win was the second in as many starts for Eveland, who was called up from triple-A Albuquerque on Sept. 1.

The Dodgers’ unlikely hero outpitched the Giants’ unlikely All-Star Ryan Vogelsong, a fellow journeyman who was playing in Japan as recently as two seasons ago.

The Dodgers went ahead, 1-0, in the second inning when James Loney tripled and scored on a groundout by Jerry Sands. The Dodgers added two more runs in the fourth inning, which Matt Kemp led off with a triple. Kemp scored on a single by Rivera, who later scored on a bases-loaded balk by Vogelsong.

Surgery for Ethier

With a third doctor advising him to undergo surgery, Andre Ethier has decided to get his right knee cleaned up.

Ethier said the operation will take place in the coming week and be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

The All-Star right fielder will remain in Los Angeles for the remainder of the regular season. He will spend his off-season in his home state of Arizona rehabilitating with former Dodgers physical therapist Sue Falsone.

Recovery is expected to take eight weeks.

ElAttrache was the first to recommend surgery. On Friday, Ethier visited orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who agreed with ElAttrache’s diagnosis.

Ethier also solicited the opinion of Colorado-based knee specialist J. Richard Steadman, who was sent results of a recent MRI exam. Steadman’s opinion matched ElAttrache and Andrews’.

Kershaw gets Lincecum’s vote

Tim Lincecum has endorsed Kershaw for the Cy Young Award.

Lincecum told the San Jose Mercury News that if he were a voter, he would cast his ballot for Kershaw.

A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum faced Kershaw on Friday night. They both allowed a run over eight innings, but Kershaw picked up the victory as the Dodgers scored a go-ahead run against Giants reliever Santiago Casilla in the ninth inning.

“He doesn’t really give in to anybody,” Lincecum said. “You can see his confidence out there when he’s pitching. He knows he’s good. That’s the important thing as a pitcher, knowing you’re going to get the job done.”

General Manager Ned Colletti said the Dodgers might explore the possibility of a multiyear contract with Kershaw.

Kershaw will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter. He won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2014 season.

In exchange for offering Kershaw the financial security of a multiyear deal, the Dodgers could have him under contract at a below-market rate.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com