Clayton Kershaw enjoyed a successful return as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies, 2-1, to start their homestand on a positive note and extend their winning streak to five games.
Kershaw pitched five innings, which was roughly to be expected in his first start since June 27, which also came against the Rockies, but at Coors Field. The left-hander had stretched out to four innings in a simulated game last week.
Kershaw finished with four strikeouts, three of which came in the second inning. Kershaw also threw multiple changeups, although one was hit for a solo home run by Elehuris Montero. The Rockies maintained the slim 1-0 lead into the seventh inning as Ty Blach shut down the Dodgers.
Max Muncy then reversed those fortunes with a leadoff home run to tie the game. “His sinker was working well and he was locating it,” Muncy said after the comeback win.
Clayton Kershaw's 3Ks in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/jT7xTtqd8f
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 11, 2023
Ty it up, Max! pic.twitter.com/zDsZHJv1aS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2023
Go ahead, Max! pic.twitter.com/tR1jidlUiC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2023
“I kept beating it into the ground to the right side, so I was just focused on getting underneath it and trying to make something happen.”
Muncy’s homer chased Blach from the game and Daniel Bard later was not able to help the Rockies escape a jam. Bard inherited runners at the corners but walked Freddie Freeman to load the bases.
After Ezequiel Tovar made a terrific running catch in shallow left-center field for the second out, Bard walked Muncy to bring in what held as the winning run.
Dodgers concerned about Clayton Kershaw’s health
While the Dodgers were excited to welcome Kershaw back to their rotation, manager Dave Roberts was guarded with his postgame remarks.
“I’m not going to lie, I was holding my breath a little bit throughout the outing. But it was fantastic. It really was,” Roberts said. “I think there was a little bit of searching for the slider, in my opinion, but he wasn’t stressed all night.
“I thought he stayed in his delivery, rhythm all night was good, curveball was good and the fastball. I thought overall, him getting through five innings and the way he threw the baseball, was fantastic.
“So I think big tell is how he comes in tomorrow. If he comes in feeling good and sort of the natural soreness, then we’re in a good spot.”
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