Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Riding two spectacular performances, the Dodgers got back in the Win column in a big way on Saturday night. The home team rode a stellar start from Clayton Kershaw and a three-homer, eight-RBI night for Trayce Thompson to rack up an easy 10-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Even though he doesn’t like us using the word, it was a “vintage” Kershaw outing. Other than surrendering a solo homer to known Kershaw nemesis Christian Walker, the Dodger lefty was practically flawless in his first start of the year. He cut through the D-back batting order with surgeon-like precision. Needing just 76 pitches to go six complete innings, Kershaw notched nine strikeouts, getting a ton of swing-and-miss along the way.
On the other side of the ball, the game was over almost as soon as it began. Facing our old buddy Madison Bumgarner, the Dodgers teed off early. Mookie Betts got robbed of a homerun by a questionable fan interference call to lead off the game, but he came around to score on a one-out sac fly from Chris Taylor. Then, after a hit, a walk, and HBP, Trayce Thompson delivered an early kill shot with a grand slam, a towering shot to center.
Thompson followed it up with another homer in the 5th inning, this one a three-run job. Then, because why not, Thompson tacked a solo shot on in the eighth. Hooboy! It was the second multi-homer game of his career, and the eight RBI were a career high.
“Everyone kind of knows my journey, and it’s been a long journey,” Thompson said. “To be back here, it does mean a lot to me. Most of my Major League moments have been here, so it does mean a lot. I always have belief and conviction in myself, so I know I can have nights like this. I’m just thankful that tonight was one of those nights.”
Short Hops
- With his nine strikeouts, Clayton Kershaw passed up Mike Mussina for 23rd place all time. The Dodger legend now has 2,816 strikeouts. Would love to see him get his 3,000th in a Dodger uniform.
- Between Thompson and Outman, center field certainly feels different this year.
- Jason Heywood, Chris Taylor, and Max Muncy all had great defensive plays on Saturday.
- Andre Jackson finished things up for Kershaw in this one, gaining a three-inning save in doing so.
- JD Martinez banged a double and homer for his best day in Dodger blue.
- This was fun. Let’s do it again tomorrow. Noah Syndergaard vs. Zach Davies. 1:00 pm start.
