Clayton Kershaw atoned for the shortest start of his career by dominating the Chicago Cubs to the tune of a season-high 13 strikeouts over eighth innings in a 7-1 win for the Los Angeles Dodgers in front of a national audience on Sunday.
He got through eight innings for the first time since doing so against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 25, 2018. Kershaw’s 13 strikeouts were the most in a regular-season start since reaching that same total against the Kansas City Royals on July 9, 2017.
Kershaw also had 13 strikeouts against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of last year’s National League Wild Card Series.
Against the Cubs, Kershaw relied on his patented wipeout slider and knee-buckling curveball. “I was able to use that to both sides of the plate,” he said of the slider after the win. “Any time you get to pitch a 4:15 (p.m.) game at Dodger Stadium with the shadows, it’s a good game.”
Sunday Night SLAM. pic.twitter.com/vDvvmtrCa0
— MLB (@MLB) June 27, 2021
Belli bomb!
6-run inning for the @Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/ewM4j1pwcT
— MLB (@MLB) June 27, 2021
We got vintage Kersh tonight. pic.twitter.com/RCxBCFNZw3
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2021
Kershaw’s dominant outing was supported early by Zach McKinstry and Cody Bellinger. Cubs starter Adbert Alzolay hit Matt Beaty with a pitch, then walked Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux to load the bases with nobody out in the second inning.
McKinstry gave the Dodgers their first hit and a lead they never looked back from with a grand slam to right field. The grand slam was McKinstry’s first of his career and sixth for the Dodgers this season.
After Mookie Betts reached on a Javier Baez throwing error with two outs in the inning, Bellinger clubbed his second home run in as many games. Bellinger added a third RBI on the day with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
Dodgers take momentum into Giants series
The Dodgers have bounced back from a four-game losing streak to win three in a row heading into a pivotal series with the National League West-leading San Francisco Giants.
“I think going into the Giants games the next two days with some momentum is a good thing,” Kershaw said.
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