After two straight walk-off losses and an overall four-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers got back in the win column against the Cincinnati Reds to avoid the sweep with a 6-0 victory.
The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead on Freddie Freeman’s RBI single in the third inning following James Outman and Mookie Betts both being hit by a pitch. With Betts and Freeman on base, Max Muncy worked a two-out walk to load the bases before David Peralta singled to drive in two.
Chris Taylor blasted a solo home run in the fourth inning, his 10th long ball of the season, which put the Dodgers up 4-0. Outman followed with a walk before Austin Barnes doubled to add another run, and a single from Betts and a sac fly from Freeman made the score 6-0.
Peralta finished 4-for-5 in what was his first four-hit game since April 22, 2021, which coincidentally also came against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Clayton Kershaw, White Castle Special. 🤮🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/qd3nMeX7Wl
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 8, 2023
Dodgers strike first (this Freeman guys is pretty good) pic.twitter.com/zsaoS1ASr3
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 8, 2023
Clayton Kershaw, Wicked 88mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/6qK1vzgkvg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 8, 2023
David Peralta adds a couple more! pic.twitter.com/vnfFxfQj2I
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 8, 2023
Clayton Kershaw, 91mph Fastball and 87mph Slider, Overlay pic.twitter.com/pZLH5DCKoO
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 8, 2023
Taylor homer? Hits different 'cause it's you. pic.twitter.com/t3oMnWq5Fv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 8, 2023
Clayton Kershaw, Cooperstown Curveball. 👑 pic.twitter.com/fIwIhas3G3
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 8, 2023
Four hit day for David Peralta! pic.twitter.com/kXGwpJQAt1
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 8, 2023
The Dodgers were held scoreless through the rest of the game, which continued their trend of scoring in the first four innings before their offense fell off, but it was enough for the victory with Clayton Kershaw on the mound.
Kershaw turned in one of his strongest starts of the season, pitching seven shutout innings while giving up just five hits. He also struck out nine hitters and only walked two as he earned his eighth win of the season.
The left-hander lowered his ERA below 3.00 on the season as it was inflated due to a couple poor starts in May.
Following Kershaw, the Dodgers only used Tayler Scott for the final two innings. The right-hander was recalled before the game when Noah Syndergaard was placed on the 15-day injured list.
Scott pitched two shutout innings, giving up one hit and striking out two along the way. The two gave the bullpen a much-needed rest before they begin a series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Clayton Kershaw ties Dodgers record
With his final punchout of the day, Kershaw reached 2,900 career strikeouts and tied Don Sutton’s Dodgers record (since 1900) for most starts of at least seven scoreless innings at 63.
The future Hall of Famer is now just 100 whiffs away from becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB histroy to reach the 3,000 career strikeouts, and he should get there this season assuming he remains in good health.
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