The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak against the Colorado Rockies to 10 games by completing a sweep at Coors Field behind a strong start from Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw entered the afternoon just eight strikeouts away from 3,000 in his career. That presented a potentially interesting conundrum for manager Dave Roberts, as Kershaw’s next start is due to come at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw struck out back-to-back batters over the first and second innings, though also gave up a solo home run to Brenton Doyle that had the Dodgers in a 1-0 deficit until the third.
Miguel Rojas sparked their rally with a one-out double that was followed by Shohei Ohtani working a walk. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Mookie Betts’ RBI infield single to first base tied the game. Michael Toglia made a diving stop to his right but wasn’t backed up by Austin Gomber covering first base for the potential out.
The game remained tied into the sixth inning, when Freddie Freeman hit a two-out RBI single. That ended an 0-for-11 drought Freeman had fallen into during the series as part of a weeks-long slump.
Whether by design or in effort to thwart Kershaw’s pursuit of 3,000 career strikeouts, the Rockies often swung early in counts. That contributed to Kershaw being efficient and thus aided him getting through six innings on only 69 pitches and just the one run allowed.
Shohei Ohtani’s solo home run in the seventh inning provided the Dodgers bullpen with some breathing room, and they made the lead hold. Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech and Tanner Scott each pitched one scoreless inning to finish out the 3-1 win.
When will Clayton Kershaw get to 3,000 strikeouts?
Next for Kershaw is a start against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw figures to reach the milestone in his start next week against a White Sox team that ranks fifth in total strikeouts this season and sixth in strikeout rate.
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