Clayton Kershaw made more progress toward 3,000 career strikeouts and the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back from a loss to defeat the Washington Nationals in the series opener at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw allowed a solo home run to Amed Rosario in the first inning but overcame the early hard contact to otherwise largely quiet a Nationals team that had just snapped an 11-game losing streak. Kershaw finished with two runs allowed over five innings.
He’s pitched at least five innings in four of his last five starts, and now has 2,992 strikeouts. Kershaw potentially could become the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts in his next start, which is likely to come on the road against the Colorado Rockies or Kansas City Royals.
Kershaw being able to hold the Nationals at just their one early run was rewarded when the Dodgers put together a rally in the third inning. It began on Kiké Hernández’s leadoff double but nearly came to end when Mookie Betts hit into what was ruled an inning-ending double play.
The Dodgers’ successful challenge at first base overturned that and allowed the Dodgers to pull even on the force out. The Dodgers then took their lead Teoscar Hernández hit a ground ball that CJ Abrams made a diving stop on but flipped wide of second base, allowing Betts to score on the throwing error.
Andy Pages extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1 by continuing his hot hitting with a two-out RBI single. Shohei Ohtani created more separation in the fourth inning with his RBI base hit.
Miguel Rojas added a two-run homer in the sixth inning that ultimately proved to be the difference as the Nationals immediately cut into their deficit by scoring two runs in the seventh. Michael Conforto made a diving catch to end the inning and prevent further damage in what was a shaky inning for the Dodgers bullpen.
Jack Dreyer retired the side in order in the eighth and Tanner Scott recovered after allowing a home run to convert a save in the 6-5 win.
Danny Lehmann fills in as Dodgers manager
Hours before first pitch, MLB announced Mike Shildt, Robert Suarez and Dave Roberts were each suspended and fined an undisclosed amount for their roles in benches clearing between the San Diego Padres and Dodgers.
Suarez appealed his three-game suspension, while Shildt and Roberts both served their one-game bans on Friday. Danny Lemman filled in as acting Dodgers manager.
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