The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to three games and Clayton Kershaw set a season high with 11 strikeouts against the Miami Marlins, but was hardly pleased with the performance on an individual level.
After contributing an RBI single as part of the Dodgers taking an 8-0 lead in the second inning, Kershaw allowed the Marlins to cut their deficit in half in the third. “Wasn’t great today, obviously,” he said after the 9-6 win.
“Not a whole lot of positives. When your team gives you that much of a lead, you’ve got to do your best to not give up that many runs and save your bullpen as best you can. We had to use our horses tonight, which is not something you want to do when you’re up 8-0 in the third.”
Kershaw was hurt by soft contact, but that nevertheless set the table for Adam Duvall’s screaming three-run homer that landed in the back of the Dodgers’ bullpen. The Marlins drew closer in the fifth inning when Garrett Cooper hit an RBI double. The five runs Kershaw allowed tied a season high.
“Overall, it was a good win for us. Guys picked me up,” he said. “Muncy swung the bat really well, Barnesy had a big knock. A lot of guys with some big hits, so that’s great to see. Sometimes you pitch on the right day.”
Kershaw improved to 6-3 and has logged at least six innings in six of nine starts. His 105 pitches marked the most he’s thrown in a single outing this season.
Kershaw highlights aggressiveness
The Dodgers have begun to play up to the level of expectations recently, but for Kershaw, the details are what stick out most.
“Winning is kind of what feels normal to me. Whether it be our guys swinging the bats or different things like that, that was a matter of time,” he said. “As far as doing the little things, Mookie leading off that first inning with a walk after two strikes and then stealing second, those are the things I like to see. The aggressiveness, making some big plays.
“Mookie made a big play defensively. We’re always going to walk, guys are always going to get knocks, but doing that little stuff was awesome to see. Muncy with the big swing, which was huge. He’s been swinging the bat great, which has been huge for us.”
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