Kershaw brilliant as Dodgers end three-game slide

This one felt good. Like really good. After losing four tight games on this homestand, the Dodgers got ahead early, and put the spank on the Reds late, and came away with 8-0 victory today in a a getaway day matinee at Chavez Ravine. And much as it was nice to see the offense come to life to put away the victory, the day belonged to Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. He pitched seven brilliant innings and made the early runs hold up until the offense finally kicked into overdrive in the eighth inning. Not really challenged all day, Kersh made darn sure that the Dodgers’ early season losing streak would end at three games.

That’s what a Hall of Famer does.

Tight contest early…

In a day that ended so gloriously, it didn’t start that great. Reds leadoff man Nick Senzel laced a pitch into left field for a single and then promptly stole second base. One hitter into the game, and the Reds were already on the warpath. Ugh. However, they don’t give Cy Youngs to just anybody. Kershaw bore down, and with the help of a strike-’em-out-throw-’em-out double play, the Dodgers were back in the dugout after facing only three batters.

JT goes deep. Again.

Runs in the early part of the game were at a premium, as both Kershaw and Reds starter Sonny Gray brought the good stuff to the ballpark today. In fact, Gray had the Dodgers stymied for the most part, striking out eleven on the day. The Dodgers did manage to break through in the top of the second, when Luke Raley‘s double-play grounder to short scored Chris Taylor from third. Then, in the next inning, Justin Turner turned around a 1-1 pitch and deposited the ball into the left center field bleachers. Turner’s hot April continues, as this towering blast was his sixth home run of the month. Pace yourself, JT. We might need some of that pop in October!

Kersh cruises through seven scoreless

To be honest, the way Kershaw was pitching on Wednesday, the Dodgers didn’t have to do anything more. Pounding the strike zone in the vintage Kershaw fashion, the Dodgers’ lefty only needed 90 pitches to complete his seven scoreless innings. He gave up four hits along the way, and happened to walk the opposing pitcher, but that was it. Though there were a few baserunners, he never really felt in a jam the entire afternoon. It was exactly the kind of start that you would expect out of your number one guy when your O is scuffling a bit. Walker Buehler, I hope you were taking notes. That is how it is done. The final line on Kershaw for today: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 8 K.

Vintage.

The Reds had a bit of a mini-threat going in the top of the eighth with men on first and third against reliever Blake Treinen, but that too didn’t amount to anything. Treinen shut the door with back-to-back strikeouts. So, it looked like it would be another day of nail-biting as Kenley Jansen began to warm up while the Dodgers started to hit in the home half of the eighth.

Eruption in the 8th

It started innocently enough. A one-out walk to Justin Turner. But after a Max Muncy fly out, Los Doyers decided to whip out the proverbial can of whup-*ss on Reds reliever Sal Romano. First, Chris Taylor tripled, bringing home Turner. Then, AJ Pollock singled to score Taylor. After an Austin Barnes walk, pinch hitter Matt Beaty kept the line moving with a run-scoring single that popped out of the glove of left fielder Jesse Winker.

Finally, Mookie Betts hit a two-run single that scored both Barnes and Beaty. It was a glorious rally. One that the Dodger faithful had been waiting for since that meltdown on Sunday. Plus, the final run scored on Mookie’s second hit of the day. Hopefully, he will be recovering some of the those lost points in his batting average as we move into May.

Garrett Cleavenger was called on to close out the game and nearly did so, but he got hit by a batted ball and had to give way to Dennis Santana for the final out. The disappointing homestand ends on a positive note, one that will make tonight’s flight to Milwaukee just a little more upbeat.

Tomorrow, Trevor Bauer gets the ball for the start in the first game against the Brew Crew. 4:40 pm PDT start time. Let’s finish out April on a roll!