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This Day In Dodgers History: Clayton Kershaw Throws Complete Game Against Giants To Clinch NL West Title

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports

September 29 is a memorable date in Los Angeles Dodgers history as it is when the team clinched the 2015 National League West title behind a complete game from Clayton Kershaw.

L.A. was mired in a four-game losing streak heading into their matchup against the San Francisco Giants. They snapped that and wrapped up the division behind a vintage performance from Kershaw, who outdueled Madison Bumgarner.

Kershaw’s only real brush with trouble came in the third inning, at the time pitching with a 2-0 lead. Kershaw allowed a one-out single and Kevin Frandsen moved into scoring position on a wild pitch with two outs.

Angel Pagan drew a walk to extend the inning, though San Francisco failed to capitalize as Kelby Tomlinson grounded out. The Dodgers added to their lead in the sixth inning, behind back-to-back solo home runs from Justin Ruggiano and A.J. Ellis, with the latter knocking Bumgarner out of the game.

By the time the Dodgers blew the game open in the eighth inning, Kershaw was cruising through the outing. He struck out the side in the fifth and sixth innings, and did so again in the eighth.

Kershaw then retired the side in order in the ninth to put the finishing touches on his complete game in an 8-0 win. He held the Giants to just one hit, collected 13 strikeouts on the night and retired the final 19 batters faced.

Don Mattingly became the first manager in Dodgers franchise history to guide his club to three consecutive NL West titles. Though, that wound up being his last as the Dodgers were eliminated by the New York Mets in the NL Division Series and it led to a mutual parting with Mattingly.

Manager Dave Roberts has since guided the club to five straight NL West titles.

Dodgers NL West streak

The Dodgers’ overall stretch of eight consecutive NL West titles was the longest in franchise history before it was snapped by the Giants in 2021.

The Dodgers nevertheless went on to eliminate the Giants in a thrilling NL Division Series by winning Game 5 on the road.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com