Dodgers Interview: Doc on Clayton’s return, loss to Angels
"The command just wasn't consistent."
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ 11–9 loss to the Angels on Saturday night wasn’t just another tough interleague slugfest—it marked Clayton Kershaw’s long-awaited return to the mound in 2025. And while the scoreboard told a disappointing story, manager Dave Roberts walked away with a measured perspective.
“Overall, I thought the stuff was really encouraging,” Roberts said after the game. “The velocity was there—better than it’s been in quite some time. He mixed in some changeups, the slider had some bite early, and the curveball flashed. But the command just wasn’t consistent.”
Kershaw labored through a 33-pitch first inning, allowing three runs and loading the bases with a pair of walks and a string of hits. While he did settle down with an 11-pitch second, the Angels pushed across runs in the third and fourth as well. Kershaw’s final line: 4 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.
“His hallmark is putting guys away when he gets to two strikes,” Roberts said. “Tonight, he got to two-strike counts but just couldn’t finish them off. That’s not typical Clayton. But for a guy pitching in a big-league game for the first time in a while, with all the emotions that come with that, I thought he handled it well.”
Roberts didn’t believe Kershaw came in overly hyped, though he acknowledged the emotions of the night were palpable. “I think he did a really good job controlling them. That first inning was rough, but the second inning, three straight outs on 11 pitches—that’s the old Clayton right there.”
The Dodgers’ offense certainly tried to pick him up. Andy Pages launched a game-tying three-run homer in the first, Enrique Hernández added a solo shot, and rookie catcher Dalton Rushing drove in a pair, including his first career RBI.
“Credit to the offense,” Roberts said. “They kept fighting. They made it a game.”
Rushing, who caught Kershaw for the first time, had a big night at the plate and was quick to shoulder responsibility for the early struggles. But Roberts wasn’t having it.
“I respect Dalton for wanting to take ownership, but that’s not how I saw it,” he said. “He called a good game. It’s still on the pitchers to execute. And at the plate, he was terrific.”
But the biggest blow came in the seventh, when reliever Kirby Yates—who later exited with right hamstring tightness—allowed a game-breaking three-run homer to Logan O’Hoppe. Roberts confirmed that Yates would likely require an IL stint. “Early assessment is a grade one hamstring. I don’t see how it’s not an IL,” he said.
The seventh inning also saw a bit of bullpen chaos. Roberts admitted there was miscommunication during a pitching change after Yates’ injury. “We had Bonda getting loose, but when Kirby had to come out, Newman and Neto were coming up, so I called down for [Luis] García. There was some mix-up there.”
That wasn’t the only hiccup in the bullpen. The Dodgers’ relievers gave up six runs over the final three innings, with a combination of hard contact and untimely misses. Roberts attributed it to poor command and sequencing.
“We’re getting into good counts, but then giving in,” he said. “Guys are taking advantage. You’ve got to execute when you’re ahead in the count. Right now, we’re not doing that consistently.”
There were silver linings—Freddie Freeman had four hits, including three singles off Tyler Anderson and a late rally single in the eighth. Andy Pages continues to shine defensively, making a standout leaping catch at the wall to rob Zach Neto in the fourth.
“He’s playing really good baseball right now,” Roberts said. “Great at-bats. Great defense in right field. That play near the wall was big.”
As for Kershaw, Roberts made clear that this was just step one in a longer journey.
“It’s been a grind for him to get here, and I thought there was a lot to be encouraged by. We just need to get the command sharper, and that will come with more outings,” Roberts said. “This is a guy we trust. He’s going to figure it out.”
Next up for the Dodgers is the rubber match of the Freeway Series Sunday afternoon, where they’ll look to bounce back and take the series before heading back on the road.
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