Clayton Kershaw made the final regular season start of his career at Dodger Stadium, and he once again led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
With emotions high throughout the ballpark, and likely for Kershaw as well, he allowed a leadoff homer to Heliot Ramos on the third pitch of the game.
But the left-hander bounced back to get two strikeouts in the inning.
After a scoreless second, Kershaw allowed a double to Matt Chapman and an RBI single to Wilmer Flores in the third inning that put the Giants up 2-1.
Kershaw worked a scoreless fourth and then took the mound once again in the fifth. After striking out Rafael Devers, Kershaw was taken out of the game, receiving a standing ovation from fans and players alike, and he received hugs from his teammates on the field.
Clayton Kershaw received a standing ovation as he walked off the field in his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/m21CreKlFi
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 20, 2025
Kershaw is set to make one final start this season, but it will come on the road. The future Hall of Famer announced his intention to retire after the season on Thursday.
The Dodgers scored their first run in the second inning on a home run from Miguel Rojas. At the time, that tied the game before the Giants re-took the lead.
But the Dodgers answered in the fifth inning. After a single from Andy Pages and a walk from Kiké Hernández, Shohei Ohtani blasted a three-run homer to put L.A. up 4-2. Mookie Betts then followed with a solo homer to extend the lead to 5-2.
The Dodgers added on another on a double from Pages in the sixth, which scored Rojas, who also reached on a double.
With Justin Wrobleski on the mound, the Giants made it a 6-3 game with a double from Willy Adames and an RBI single from Chapman.
Edgardo Henriquez, who replaced Kershaw in the fifth, earned the win. Kirby Yates earrned a hold with a scoreless eighth inning and Tanner Scott closed it out to earn the save.
Dodgers clinch 2025 postseason berth
Prior to the game ending, the Dodgers clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB postseason bracket thanks to help from the Philadelphia Phillies defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers are in the playoffs for the 13th year in a row. It’s the longest active MLB postseason streak and tied with the New York Yankees (1995-2007) for second all-time.
Prior to this current stretch, the Dodgers had not reached the playoffs more than two years in a row.
The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the National League West is four.
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