Clayton Kershaw is a legend in the making.
The phenom tossed on Tuesday 8.2 innings of shutout ball with 11 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 1.40, the best in the majors.
In the first, Kershaw loaded the bases and needed 29 pitches before getting out of the inning on a strikeout, the first of six straight Ks. Ryan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond were the only Nationals starters to make it through the game without falling victim to a strike out.
In the third inning, Kershaw got on base via hit by pitch. Matt Kemp promptly singled him over, and a Dan Haren wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Andre Ethier hit a single up the middle that easily scored both Kershaw and Kemp.
This was all the offensive production the Dodgers could muster, but it was also all that Kershaw needed to get the 2-0 win.
Matt Kemp’s single advanced his hitting streak to thirteen games. He has three hits in nine at-bats against Wednesday’s starting pitcher Ross Detwiler.
Kershaw cruised through the rest of the game, but was pulled with two outs in the top of the ninth after a ten-pitch at bat to Adam LaRoche concluded with a single. He had thrown 132 pitches on the night. Kenley Jansen came in to quickly strike out Tyler Moore, and earn the save.
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Every time Kershaw takes the mound it merits your attention. Younger fans, such as myself, have not seen a Los Angeles pitcher perform with such dominance every start, and it should not be taken for granted.
Midway through the game, a graphic was being sent around that showed Kershaw has the lowest career ERA of any pitcher – with 1,000 innings pitched since the 1920’s.
It is simply phenomenal, but don’t just take it from me, watch every start of his that you can. Kershaw’s pitching speaks for itself.
Who knows, you may never watch a Dodger pitcher this good ever again.
Tweets from #Dodger Nation:
- Clayton Kershaw was trending nationwide tonight, a Sports Center graphic of him was retweeted over 1,200 times
- Very positive comments from Dodger fans and foes alike, “One day I’m going to tell my grandkids that I watched Clayton Kershaw pitch”
- Some Dodger fans want to live in a dream world, “Why can’t Clayton Kershaw just pitch every night?”
