Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — I’m so happy for the guy. Clayton Kershaw, the consummate team player, stepped into the spotlight once again on Tuesday night. On a night when his team needed a win in the worst way, Kershaw threw down the gauntlet and absolutely dominated a powerful and expensive Mets lineup for seven innings. Seven glorious innings. After he threw his last pitch of the night, striking out Tommy Pham to end a threat in the 7th, he erupted with some very non-Kershaw-like emotion. And 50,000 Angelenos were right there with him. 200 wins. All in Dodger Blue. Yes, there’s a guy named Koufax. But for my money, this is the greatest Dodger ever.
Though the evening ended with a champagne toast (courtesy of teammate Freddie Freeman), it certainly didn’t start out like that. One hitter into the game, Kersh was in a big-time jam, thanks to a three-base error on a misplayed flyball to right fielder Jason Heyward. But the three-time Cy Young winner showed he’s got plenty of dog left in him. He dug down deep right away and absolutely blew away Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso to escape the inning with the scoreless tie still intact. It. Was. Awesome.
But Kershaw was just getting started. Thanks to a two-home-run night from J.D. Martinez, Clayton was pitching with a lead all night, which allowed him to do what he does best: pound the strike zone. In all, it totaled nine punchies versus no walks on a night that everything was working for him; the slider was sliding, the fastball was pinpoint in its accuracy and that Cooperstown curve flummoxed batters all damn night.
The Dodgers added a couple of insurance runs in the 8th after Kershaw had exited the game on a Freddie Freeman sac fly and J.D. Martinez’s 4th hit of the night, a long single to the right centerfield gap. Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol must have been inspired watching from the pen, because (for once), the bullpen delivered a stress-free final two frames.
As usual, the humble Kershaw put the focus in postgame interviews back on his teammates. “There’s been a lot of pitchers that have pitched well but maybe don’t have the team behind them,” Kershaw said. “Just reflecting on that, and just thankful for being part of great teams, that’s what wins signify to me.”
And this win was a big one as the Dodgers crawl back to .500. It’s one more against the Mets and a chance to finish with a 3-3 home stand before they head out to Chicago for the weekend. LFG!
Short hops
- Clayton Kershaw should start talking to Ellen about where he wants his statue to be placed outside the stadium. Cuz it’s coming.
- What a great night for J.D. Martinez! Keep it up, there, partner.
- Nice play by David Peralta early in the game to run down a fly ball in the left field corner.
- Mookie on family leave on Tuesday. Luke Williams took his spot on the roster and got into the game, playing short and going 0-for-2.
- Miguel Rojas took a sharp hot off the chest in this one. Hope he’s okay.
- This team has its moments, doesn’t it?
- Game time tomorrow is an early 12:10 first pitch. Its Freaky Friday on a Wednesday as former Dodger Max Scherzer faces former Met Noah Syndergaard. Should be good theater if nothing else.
