SAN FRANCISCO -- Clayton Kershaw has an inflamed right hip joint and was scratched from his Sunday night start for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants. He wasnt thrilled about it, because he said he thought he could still go. Manager Don Mattingly made the call with help from the trainers. "I felt good enough to pitch," Kershaw said. "It wasnt my decision." Kershaw began feeling some discomfort a few days earlier and went for a contrast MRI exam Saturday -- at the same time as centre fielder Matt Kemp -- and received a cortisone injection. Doctors ruled out a hernia and other issues. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner said he threw five pitches off the mound at AT&T Park earlier Sunday in front of the medical staff and believed he could pitch. "It was kind of all I needed to give me that peace of mind that I could do it," Kershaw said. "I thought I was going to get the chance. It puts Donnie in a tough spot, I understand that. He had to do what he thought was best." Mattingly said the decision was made to give Kershaw a couple of extra days to make sure he is healthy for the rest of the season, and the lefty is now scheduled to start Tuesday at Arizona. The Dodgers are in the chase for the division and NL wild-card spots. "None of it made any sense for him to pitch today. Were really trying to put him in a position to pitch the rest of the year," Mattingly said. "This is all about him having the best chance of being healthy the rest of the way." Still, Kershaw clearly didnt like the news. "I would have loved to pitch today. Thought I could have done it," Kershaw said. "You cant make all of your decisions, I guess. But Im going to get five more starts, regardless, for the rest of the season. You can hype this game as much as you want but Ive got to win the starts they give me, so thats what Im going to try to do." Right-hander Joe Blanton was set to start in Kershaws place against the Giants, who began the day with a 4 1/2-game division lead over Los Angeles. Blanton is 1-3 with a 6.17 ERA in six starts since joining the Dodgers in a trade from Philadelphia on Aug. 3 after Los Angeles claimed him off waivers. He was told Saturday to be ready because it was a "50-50" chance he would start. Blanton allowed a two-run double to Hunter Pence in the first inning. He needed 36 pitches to get out of the first, giving up as many runs that inning as Kershaw did total in any of his four starts facing San Francisco this year. Kershaw (12-7) is 5-2 with a 0.66 ERA in seven starts and eight appearances at AT&T Park. He is 1-3 in four starts this season against the Giants, who will miss facing the Dodgers ace in a series -- after 11 straight -- for the first time since September 2010. Kershaw was 7-3 with a 1.21 ERA during those 11 meetings. He said he doesnt know how he was injured. It caused him problems when landing, and he felt it running and throwing. "It just kind of came on," Kershaw said. "Maybe just tweaked it somehow." Kemp also could be back in the lineup Tuesday if all goes well. He received a cortisone shot in his inflamed left shoulder Saturday and reported no problems a day later. "It feels the same, dude. Well see tomorrow," Kemp said. "Its only one day. Its got to kick in." Kemp said he attended a concert Saturday night in the East Bay but wasnt at the Andre Ward-Chad Dawson fight in Oakland. "I didnt want to go watch people getting beat up -- Ive been beat up all year," Kemp said. "Stop the violence." http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Russell-Westbrook-Jersey/ . With just over a minute left in the second period of the Islanders 4-1 win Tuesday in Pittsburgh, McDonald drove Penguins defenceman Ben Lovejoy into the end boards from behind. http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/ . Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are still trying to lock up their berth to the postseason and turn to Lohse on Saturday evening in the second of three straight meetings with the NL East-leading Nats, who have a chance to lock up the division. http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Steven-Adams-Jersey/ . Salvador Perez also hit a two-run homer for the Royals, who won their sixth straight against the White Sox. Chicago hit three home runs: Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run shot and Dewayne Wise and A. http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Serge-Ibaka-Jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Russia -- Martin Klizan of Slovakia defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday to win his first career ATP title at the St. http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Shawn-Kemp-Jersey/ . UFC president Dana White used a news conference for Saturdays televised card in Seattle to announce Rouseys UFC launching pad. He bounded on stage with a spare championship belt, declining to say why until he ended the mystery some 20 minutes later. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Reds will host the 2015 All-Star game at Great American Ball Park, the citys first since 1988, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Commissioner Bud Selig will discuss the decision on Wednesday in Cincinnati, where hes also appearing to promote Major League Baseballs latest urban youth academy, according to the person speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The Cincinnati Enquirer first reported the decision. The Reds have been trying to acquire the All-Star game since they opened Great American Ball Park in 2003. They hosted the game twice at Riverfront Stadium -- two weeks after its opening in 1970 and again in 1988. This years game will be played at the Mets Citi Field in New York. The 2014 All-Star game will be played in Minneapolis. Itll be the fifth time that Cincinnati -- home of baseballs first professional franchise -- will host the All-Star game. It was played at Crosley Field in 1938 and again in 1953. The Reds hosted the game when they opened Riverfront Stadium in 1970, and baseball had one of its most memorable finishes. Pete Rose bowled over Indians catcher Ray Fosse to score the winning run in the 12th inning of a 5-4 NL victory.dddddddddddd. In 1988, rain washed out the home run derby the day before the All-Star game at Riverfront Stadium. The uneventful game ended in a 2-1 American League victory, with Oakland catcher Terry Steinbach driving in both AL runs on a homer and a sacrifice fly. Steinbach was the MVP and his special bat -- with his name erroneously spelled "Steinbech" -- was sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The Reds have made an extra push to get the All-Star game since Bob Castellini bought controlling interest in the club after the 2005 season. Major League Baseball was impressed by how the Reds handled the annual Civil Rights Game in 2009 and 2010. The Reds also have hosted playoff games in two of the last three seasons. When the Reds hosted the Civil Rights games, Selig mentioned that the city would be a partner in one of its urban youth academies, aimed at getting youngsters more interested in the game. Selig will discuss MLBs contribution to the venture on Wednesday. Cincinnati will have the seventh of the urban youth academies, the first in the Midwest. ' ' '