The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff accounted for three no-hitters during the 2010s, including one from Josh Beckett in 2014 and a group effort against the San Diego Padres four years later.
While those games were memorable in their own right, Clayton Kershaw’s near-perfect performance against the Colorado Rockies on June 18, 2014 was one for the ages. The gem checks in at No. 2 in DodgerBlue.com’s best moments from the past decade list.
Kershaw’s outing against the Rockies marked his 10th of the season and fourth in the month of June. He was in the midst of an excellent stretch, having allowed just three runs over his last 20 innings of work (1.35 ERA).
Kershaw made quick work of the Rockies in the top of the first, retiring the side in order on just 12 pitches. By the bottom of the third, the Dodgers had spotted the left-hander a comfortable 7-0 lead.
The offense later added another run in the fourth, but all eyes were on Kershaw. Excitement began to build with each out recorded as he carried a perfect game into the seventh inning.
That unfortunately came to an end when Corey Dickerson’s chopper to shortstop resulted in a Hanley Ramirez throwing error to lead off the inning.
Kershaw struck out the next batter and was picked up by Miguel Rojas when the utility infielder made a backhanded stop and long throw from the back of third base to keep the no-hitter intact.
Kershaw retired three of the final six batters via strikeout, including one of Dickerson to end the game — putting the finishing touches on the 26th no-hitter in Dodgers history.
Kershaw had 15 strikeouts — an MLB-record in a no-hitter — and just the one baserunner allowed. The Dodgers were also able to complete a three-game sweep of the Rockies.
What’s more, Kershaw’s 102 Game Score was the second-best nine-inning performance in MLB history. It additionally was just the 18th instance since 1914 in which a pitcher struck out 15 or more batters without issuing a walk, allowing a home run or hitting a batter.
Kershaw finished the 2014 season with an MLB-best 21 wins, 1.77 ERA, 1.81 FIP, 0.86 WHIP and 10.8 strikeouts per nine in 198.1 innings pitched (27 starts). He was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game, won the Cy Young Award and became the first National League pitcher to earn MVP honors since Bob Gibson in 1968.
Top Dodgers moments of the previous decade
No. 3: Charlie Culberson’s division-clinching home run in Vin Scully’s final home game
No. 4: Justin Turner’s walk-off home run in Game 2 of the 2017 NLCS
No. 5: Rookies combine to set MLB record
No. 6: Max Muncy’s walk-off home run ends longest World Series game in MLB history
No. 7: Yasiel Puig’s MLB debut against San Diego Padres in 2013
No. 8: Juan Uribe hits a game-winning home run against Atlanta Braves in 2013 NLDS
No. 9: Dodgers clinch NL West title in 2013
No. 10: Adrian Gonzalez hits home run in first at-bat with Dodgers
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