Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw loses scoreless streak at 37 innings

PITTSBURGH -- Clayton Kershaw's streak of 37 consecutive innings ended in Friday night's 5-4 loss when the Los Angeles Dodgers ace gave up a leadoff homer toPittsburgh's Gregory Polanco.

Kershaw had not allowed a run since July 5 against the New York Mets. The major league record is 59 innings, set by Orel Hershiser in 1988 with the Dodgers.

Kershaw never got comfortable after the first-inning homer, allowing four earned runs on nine hits in six innings. The Dodgers lost onPedro Alvarez's walk-off single in the 10th inning.

"It was a tough one," Kershaw said after the game. "I struggled all the way through, pretty much, and give the Pirates credit. They did a good job battling me the whole night, and I just didn't really have good stuff."

Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke had a 43-inning scoreless streak earlier this season, which ended June 26 against the Mets.

Polanco homered to lead off the bottom of the first inning for the second straight game; he also connected off the Chicago Cubs' Dan Haren on Wednesday night. Polanco has six home runs this season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.