There was no rest for the weary as the Los Angeles Dodgers, one night removed from playing 17 innings, opened a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds. Some bullpen reinforcements arrived as Luis Avilan and Mike Bolsinger were recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Bolsinger was said to be available out of the bullpen on Monday night, though the plan held for him to start Tuesday in place of Ross Stripling. The Reds had Clayton Kershaw in an early jam following a Zack Cosart leadoff double and Billy Hamilton sacrifice bunt.
However, true to form, Kershaw battled and kept Cincinnati off the board. Adrian Gonzalez reached on an error with two outs and Howie Kendrick drew a walk, but Brandon Finnegan retired Trayce Thompson to end a scoreless first inning.
Kershaw picked up his first strikeout of the game as he retired the Reds in order in the second. Finnegan followed suit, getting Yasiel Puig swinging as he set the Dodgers down in order in the bottom half of the inning.
Tucker Barnhart led off the third with a base hit, but A.J. Ellis alertly threw down to second base after fielding Finnegan’s bunt. Kershaw proceeded to end another scoreless inning of work two groundouts later.
The left-handed ace started the bottom of the third with a single for the Dodgers’ first hit of the game. Kiké Hernandez flies out, then Justin Turner grounded into an inning-ending double play. Joey Votto received the benefit of a call on a full count to draw a leadoff walk in the fourth.
He was erased one batter later as Brandon Phillips grounded into a double play. Jay Bruce then rolled a grounder over to first base to end the inning. Howie Kendrick lined a one-out single to center and soon after stole second base.
CONTINUE READING: Kershaw attempts to provide spark on bases
Kendrick advanced to third on a wild pitch, where he was stranded by Corey Seager. Kershaw, looking to keep his streak of starts with at least 10 strikeouts alive, bookended a scoreless fifth inning with punchouts.
Ellis drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the fifth, but not being fleet of foot, he was thrown out on a Kershaw grounder deep in the hole at shortstop. With two outs and Hernandez batting, Kershaw aggressively broke for second base on a ball that kicked in front of the plate.
Barnhart’s throw carried into center, prompting Kershaw to rise to his feet and run toward third. He beat throw, electrifying the crowd, but it was short lived as Hernandez flied out to end the inning.
Kershaw caught Finnegan looking for the first out in the sixth and induced a pair of groundouts for another scoreless inning of work. Turner drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the sixth and moved into scoring position on a Barnhart backpick attempt that sailed down the right field line.
After a Gonzalez single put runners on the corners, Turner scored on a Kendrick double play ball to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Kershaw collected a strikeout in seventh inning en route to retiring the Reds in order.
Kershaw fell short of recording 10 strikeouts, finishing the night with seven, but throwing a third complete-game shutout this season.