It goes without saying that Clayton Kershaw does his best — and most important — work for the Los Angeles Dodgers from the mound. However, he’s developed a reputation for being much more than a left-handed ace.
Over recent seasons it hasn’t been uncommon for Kershaw to help himself with a run-scoring hit or provided a spark with one crack of the bat. When the Dodgers were mired in a six-game losing streak earlier this month not only did Kershaw toss a complete-game shutout, but he also collected the RBI in a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Kershaw had the Dodgers’ first hit off Cincinnati Reds starter Brandon Finnegan on Monday night — a leadoff single in the third inning. Nothing came of it as Kiké Hernandez flied out and Justin Turner grounded into a double play.
After reaching on a fielder’s choice with two outs in the fifth inning, Kershaw aggressively broke for second base on a Finnegan wild pitch that kicked out in front of the plate. When Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart’s throw went into center field, Kershaw rose to his feet and lumbered his way to third base.
“Clayton, I wish we had 25 of them. He’s not only a pitcher of a lifetime or generation, but he’s a baseball player of a generation,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after his ace turned in a third complete-game shutout this month.
“We talk a lot about his preparation and elevating people’s games around him. But what he does in the batter’s box, on the bases, just his will to be great, seems like every single time he takes the mound he goes Little League on us and does something to help us win and carries us and puts us on his back. We got some hits, but we needed a shutout, and he gave it to us.”
In his first season as Dodgers manager, Roberts added he’s no longer surprised when Kershaw takes to running the bases. “He’s just such a competitor it’s hard to tell him to temper it,” Roberts said.
Kershaw wasn’t rewarded for his exploits Monday night, with Hernandez flying out to end the inning on the next pitch. The Dodgers eventually got their ace one run, which he made stand, as he’s routinely done. With Yasmani Grandal nursing a minor ankle injury, A.J. Ellis was behind the plate after catching all 17 innings the afternoon prior.
The bond between Ellis and Kershaw is well-documented and one Ellis viewed as motivation, even if his tank was nearly empty. “It’s always special when Clayton pitches. Any chance I have to be out there, I’m going to fight for it,” the 35-year-old catcher said.
“Adrenaline takes over when you get out there. You know how hard he’s working and putting in the effort, so I’m going to do the same.” Ellis’ effort wasn’t lost on Kershaw, who got in a quick dig before praising his close friend.
“He’s getting up there (in age),” Kershaw joked. “I know he wanted to do this, especially with Yaz being banged up. It just speaks to the guy [Ellis] is.”
