Steve Webb
On a perfect day at Dodger Stadium and starting his first game after being awarded his World Series ring, Clayton Kershaw toed the rubber against the Nationals Max Scherzer Sunday. With both teams sending out multiple Cy Young award winners, a classic dual was all set for the making.
The Dodgers had the chance to win their first series sweep of 2021 and Clayton was going for his 13th career victory against the Nationals.
With injuries lingering for Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger going on the IR, the starting outfield included hot-hitting Chris Taylor playing CF, Edwin Rios in his first start in right and newcomer Zach McKinstry in LF. For today’s contest, Skipper Dave Roberts shuffled the batting order, with Gavin Lux batting lead-off and Taylor batting behind Max Muncy in the 5 spot on the card. Austin Barnes, the regular battery mate for Clayton, batted 8th.
The only run in the 1st inning was supplied by Zach McKinstry driving in Max Muncy with a long double to left center field with 2 outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. It appeared that Nats CF Victor Robles lost the fly ball in the high sky and could only helplessly watch it drop to the base of the wall.
McKinstry gets some help from the sun for the game’s first run.
But that was it for offense against these two aces. Scherzer and Kershaw matched each other pitch for pitch during the afternoon. It wasn’t until the middle innings that the Nats would work up a legit threat of their own.
The top of the 6th inning saw a swinging bunt by Trea Turner dribble up the 3rd base line and come to rest 63 feet from home plate resting on exactly on the chalk. Kershaw had thrown 76 pitches and Dave Roberts got insurance up in the pen with Blake Treinen. A pitch in the dirt and partial block by Barnes allowed Turner to get into scoring position.
Then we witnessed classic Clayton Kershaw pitch out of the jam. He struck out Juan Soto, forced Ryan Zimmerman to ground out to Seager, and then Jordy Mercer swung on a 3rd strike slider.
Both teams went to the bullpens to start their half of the 7th inning. Corey Knebel came in and had a clean 7th inning. Knebel flashed heat, throwing up to 98 miles an hour on his fastballs, resulting in ground outs by both Castro and Hernandez and a long flyout from Jonathan Lucroy.
The Nationals started their half with Tanner Rainey in relief. After getting Max Muncy to fly out, Chris Taylor smashed the first Dodger hit since the 2nd inning RBI by McKinstry. Edwin Rios smoked a ball to left field, only to have Soto’s glove get in the way for the second out. Then up stepped Zach McKinstry.
A career game at the plate, Zach McKinstry smashed a 2-run home run, his second and third RBI on the day, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead going into the 8th. inning.
Blake Treinen started the 8th inning and his relief appearance started off with back to back hits. There were two Nationals on base when Blake dialed in and was able to pitch out of the jam. Turner, Soto and Zimmerman all stranded the runners on base and the Dodger lead was intact with 3 outs to go.
Kenley Jansen came in to lock it down in the 9th. Jansen, throwing 94 mph cutters, struck out the first two batters in Garcia and Castro. Then, with two outs, Jansen induced Yadiel Hernandez to ground a comebacker to Jansen to end the game. Kenley recorded his 314th career save and his second of the 2021 season.
The Dodgers now face Colorado for three games at home then later this week head down to San Diego for their first series against the Padres.
