Dodgers Inch Closer to Clinching After Clayton Kershaw Dominates Rockies, 14-1

"The Rockies dugout looks like they're hypnotized watching Kershaw," – Vin Scully

Those immortal words were spoken by the great Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully on June 19, 2014, during Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

The Rockies were once again hypnotized by Kershaw as the three-time Cy Young Award winner threw seven shutout innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Colorado in a runaway, 14-1, on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw (12-3) was brilliant, forcing out hitters like a forked flash of lightning, as he regained his MVP form, earning his first victory since June 20th.

"Physically I feel really good," Kershaw said following the game. "I need to get more consistent with some things, but overall it was better tonight." 

In his last three starts since coming off the disabled list, Kershaw has allowed just one unearned in 18 innings, with an ERA of 0.86 to go with 23 strikeouts and just one walk.

The 2014 MVP said he's feeling close to 100 percent and it showed on the field as he struck out six and walked none in seven scoreless innings on Saturday.

"He's got stuff, deception, command and all of his pitches are plus pitches," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said of Kershaw. "He's got the total package."

Among pitchers with 125 innings or more, Kershaw leads the Majors in ERA (1.65), WHIP (0.69) and strikeouts to walks (16.80). Kershaw has 168 strikeouts in just 20 starts this season. 

Josh Reddick hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Dodgers offense erupted against the Rox on Vin Scully Commemorative Coin night.

"I had a feeling I would get a first pitch fastball. The first two I swung at I was actually trying to hit a grand slam," Reddick said of the at-bat. "I slowed things down and then I saw it and put a good swing on it. I need to slow things down and let the hands work."

The grand salami (yes, that's what it's called), was the fourth of Reddick's career and the seventh for the Dodgers on the season. Reddick finished the night 3-for-4 with the slam, a double, five RBI and three runs scored. The right-fielder is on fire in September, batting .397 with five doubles, two homers and eight RBI this month.

"I've been a little more lucky this month," Reddick said of his September turnaround. "You just have to keep grinding. The baseball Gods always bring you back to reality at some point. That was one thing that got me through."

Joc Pederson, Justin Turner, and Adrian Gonzalez all knocked in two runs for the Dodgers as every player in the starting lineup but Corey Seager had a hit.

"Our offense has been doing a good job," Turner said. "When you're playing good in all three phases of the game, it makes it really fun to come to the ballpark."

Pederson scored three runs and also reached base three times as the center fielder is also batting .304 this season. 

Even Kershaw got it on the action with an RBI single in the fifth inning.

"We scored a bunch of runs early and just never stopped," Kershaw said. "It was a fun game to be a part of."

Chad Bettis (13-8) got beat around by the boys in blue, surrendering seven runs (five earned) on eight hits with four walks and just three strikeouts in 4 and 2/3 innings.

"It was a pretty embarrassing outing," Bettis said. "I have to do better than that. The pitches have to be better."

The catastrophe that is the Colorado bullpen didn't fair much better, as three relievers combined to allow seven earned runs in the final three innings.

"It wasn't pretty all the way around," Weiss said of his bullpen.

Newhall native and UCLA standout, Pat Valaika, was the lone bright spot for the Rockies, as he hit a home run in the first big league start of his career.

"I wanted to get Pat a start in front of his hometown and family," Weiss said of his rookie. "He came threw with his first MLB home run. There's some thunder in that bat."

Los Angeles continues to lead the NL West by seven games with seven to play after the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Padres 9-6, in San Diego in extra innings. The Dodgers Magic Number to clinch the division is down to one.

"It was 6-to-nothing at one point, so I figured our chances were slim," said Kershaw of the Giants-Padres score during the game. "They gave us a lot of hope there, but we'll save the celebration for tomorrow."

Players of the Game:

Clayton Kershaw: Seven shutout innings.
Justin Turner: 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Josh Reddick: 3-for-4 with a grand slam, double, 5 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Three Takeaways: 

1. There's No Place Like Home: Clayton Kershaw lowered his ERA at Dodger Stadium this season to a measly 1.08, the third lowest ERA (tied with Hershiser -1985) in Dodger Stadium history.

Kershaw 142 IP of arguably best pitching ever. Hendricks 2.06; Lester 2.36 ERA; Scherzer 2.82 ERA, 0.93 WHiP. Relieved I'm not voting. — Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) September 25, 2016

2. Gotta' Catch Em' All: Japanese right-hander, Kenta Maeda, leads the Los Angeles Dodgers in strikeouts this season with 171 in 30 games. After Saturday, Kershaw has 168 in just 20 games. Both starters will take the mound one more time to decide who wears the team's strikeout crown.

Updated #Dodgers Strikeout Leaders:
1. Kenta Maeda - 171
2. Clayton Kershaw - 168
3. Scott Kazmir - 134
Maeda & Kershaw each have 1 start — Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) September 25, 2016

3. Let Them Eat Cake: Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully was honored with a cake before the game. Needless to say, it did not last long after it was cut into by the hungry LA media.

Wow. We in the media really are vultures... #VinScullyDay #VinScullyAppreciation #VinScullyWeekend #WinForVin #ThankYouVin pic.twitter.com/oC02a7ctpC — Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) September 25, 2016

Up Next:

Rockies (73-82): Tyler Anderson will start the finale for Colorado on Sunday.

Dodgers (89-66): Brandon McCarthy will be activated from the disabled list and start on Sunday as LA goes for the sweep at 1:10 PM PST.

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