The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame multiple deficits to defeat the New York Mets in 10 innings after Clayton Kershaw struggled through another uneven start.
The left-hander allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits in just 4.2 innings of work. He also had more walks (three) than strikeouts (two) for the second time in four starts this year.
“Yeah, just didn’t make enough good pitches,” Kershaw said after the Dodgers’ 6-5 win.
“I got ahead of some guys, gave up some two-strike hits, walked guys, there’s some hard-hit balls. So overall, not a great day. But the team played great, bailed me out. Got a big win there.
“Freddie with the big knock, Muncy two homers, so that was great to see. We’ve lost a couple in a row, so it’s nice to get that win today. But yeah, just need to pitch better.”
Kershaw had trouble putting hitters away despite getting two strikes on eight of the first 12 batters faced. “I think if it was, I would have ended the at-bat,” Kershaw answered when asked if he felt pitch execution was where it needed to be.
“I haven’t looked at it again. I felt, especially that first inning to Alonso, I made some good sliders. He’s a good hitter too, fouled off some tough, good sliders, I thought. So I’ll look at it tomorrow a little bit, kind of assess.
“But definitely the curveball tonight wasn’t good, so need to get that going. I can’t just be a two-pitch guy out there. So definitely need to throw my curveball better, for sure.”
Kershaw was let down by his defense in the fifth inning as Max Muncy booted a grounder on a likely double play ball that led to a Mets rally. However, Muncy redeemed himself with a game-tying home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth.
“I mean, that’s part of being on a team. We just try to pick each other up. He kind of made a tough play there, no big deal,” Kershaw said of Muncy’s costly error.
“But he’s swinging the bat awesome right now. So, happy for him, obviously. I know he felt good to hit that second one for sure, but felt good for me too to see. So that was great. But errors happen, that’s part of the game. We’re all doing the best we can.”
Clayton Kershaw feels ‘great’ physically
Kershaw believes his struggles have more to do with rust as opposed to coming off multiple surgeries in his age-37 season.
“I mean, physically, I feel great,” Kershaw began. “I don’t feel old, my arm feels good. So there’s not really any excuses. It’s just pitch better, pitch like you’re capable of. I think the stuff is there. I think the stuff is there to get people out.
“It just needs to be more consistent, for sure.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
