Dodgers Recap: Kershaw Nears 3,000 Strikeouts as Dodgers Sweep Rockies

DENVER – In the series finale against the Colorado Rockies, Dodgers’ longtime pitcher Clayton Kershaw was on the verge of reaching yet another milestone in his legendary Hall of Fame career: 3,000 strikeouts. In a ruthlessly efficient outing, the future resident of Cooperstown notched another five more punchouts in six innings of one-run ball, putting him on the precipice of history. Meanwhile, the Dodgers got some much-needed production from the top of the lineup as they pull out of town with a sweep, winning the afternoon finale at Coors Field by a score of 3-1.

The veteran left-hander entered the game just eight strikeouts shy of 3,000, a feat achieved by only 19 pitchers in MLB history, most recently by former Dodger Max Scherzer. Kershaw pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out five and walking one. He flashed signs of his vintage form as he continued climbing the strikeout leaderboard. With five punchouts, Kershaw moved closer to becoming the 20th member of that elite club. In his next start, he will need to collect three punchouts.

The Rockies struck first in the second inning with the lone blemish to Kershaw’s scorecard on Thursday: a solo home run from outfielder Brenton Doyle, which gave Colorado an early 1–0 lead. The Dodgers quickly responded in the third, tying the game on an RBI infield single from Mookie Betts.

In the top of the sixth, Freddie Freeman came through in the clutch with an RBI single of his own to put the Dodgers ahead, 2–1, a lead they would hold onto the rest of the way. In the top of the seventh, Shohei Ohtani would hit a solo homer to provide the Dodgers with an insurance run, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1. It’s been a minute since Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman have all knocked in runs in the same game, so for them to contribute in this way was a welcome development to say the least.

At the bottom of the seventh, Kirby Yates came on to relieve Kershaw. Yates tossed a scoreless inning, allowing no hits, walking one, and striking out one to shut down the Rockies. Michael Kopech took over in the eighth and followed suit with a clean inning of his own, striking out one and keeping Colorado off the board. In the bottom of the ninth, Tanner Scott came in to close the game and earn the save.

But the day was about Clayton. With wife Ellen looking on from the stands, Kersh delivered yet another “vintage” performance (but if it happens every time out, can you really call it “vintage” anymore). Even with the diminished velo, Kershaw was able to keep the Rockies hitters off balance, inducing a lot of contact early in counts and relying on his defense to do all the work. Miguel Rojas, who was camped at third when #22 threw his no-hitter against these same Rockies in 2014, was there again on Thursday and came up with a couple of sparkling plays to get his pitcher into the dugout quickly. Kershaw did the rest. And now, Wednesday night at Chavez Ravine, history will be his.

The Dodgers will pick up the next game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium with Dustin May on the mound against lefty Noah Cameron (2-3, 2.08 ERA, 34 SO); first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PDT.

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