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Dodgers News: Justin Turner Earned MLB Play Of The Week For Diving Stop During Clayton Kershaw’s Bid For Perfect Game

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

Justin Turner earned the Electric Play of the Week Award for his diving stop in the fourth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ win against the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of the Freeway Series.

Turner’s stop and throw helped preserve Clayton Kershaw’s perfect game at the time. So too did Hanser Alberto ranging to his right to snag a line drive in the fifth inning, and Trea Turner completing a sliding play in the seventh.

Kershaw wound up losing his bid for a perfect game when Luis Rengifo led off the eighth inning with a double.

After Justin Turner made his impressive play, Kershaw walked toward third base to check on him and express his admiration.

“That was crazy how far he went to get that ball and the dive and the throw and everything involved,” Kershaw said after the Dodgers’ 9-1 win. “So I was impressed. I was just checking to make sure he’s OK because he hit the ground hard on that one. It was awesome.”

Turner was similarly effusive of the left-hander on wha was a dominant night. “He’s still got it,” Turner said.

“It’s still a pretty special left arm he’s got and it’s pretty fun to play behind him and watch him complete.”

Last season AJ Pollock earned Play of the Week honors for robbing Manny Machado of a home run during an August game in Petco Park. Also in 2021, Mookie Betts received Play of the Week recognition for his tremendous game-ending catch against the Padres as well.

Justin Turner Foundation All-Star bingo

On Sunday, Justin and Kourtney Turner hosted a celebrity bingo event for All-Star Oceanfront at the Santa Monica Pier to benefit the Justin Turner Foundation.

“This is Kourt’s dream,” Turner told DodgerBlue.com. “She’s a Midwest girl, so when we go back to Indiana, we do all kinds of bingo back there. What better way to tie two things that we love — our foundation and bingo — into an event to raise money.”

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com