Clayton Kershaw delivers six scoreless innings in Dodgers’ victory
“It’s a challenging role for a player to act as a stopper, to pitch deep into games, to handle stress repeatedly, and to keep pushing forward,” commented Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “One must experience these situations to become that player. While everyone aspires to be that individual, true recognition comes only through consistent performance. Clayton has exemplified this throughout his entire career.”
Kershaw has achieved this in various ways over his 17 years in Major League Baseball. Earlier in his career, he relied more on velocity compared to what he can muster now. Last season, he dealt with a left shoulder injury that restricted his on-field capabilities.
Post-surgery, Kershaw can now concentrate solely on his pitching. Although he recorded just four swings and misses during his recent outing, he effectively limited hard contact, delivering crucial pitches when necessary. His efficiency was remarkable, as he only needed 70 pitches to navigate through six innings.
“Honestly, I don’t recall what it was like to pitch without shoulder pain,” Kershaw shared. “Feeling good is a great sensation. You wake up and everything, including your shoulder, feels right. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
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It felt quite different for the team without Kershaw’s presence during the early months of the season while he was rehabilitating his injury. However, now that he has returned, he remains the same formidable Kershaw.
“He’s always been the stopper of the team,” Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes remarked. “His stuff looked sharp. From the outset, I believed he had a solid understanding of their lineup. Even when he faced difficulties, he managed to slow things down and helped us achieve a crucial double play. I thought he was exceptionally good today.”
Supporting Kershaw, the Dodgers’ offense, which was missing Freddie Freeman due to a jammed right middle finger, managed to contribute just enough to enable the left-hander to claim his 212th career victory.
Shohei Ohtani launched a solo homer in the fifth inning, while Miguel Rojas added an RBI single. Furthermore, Gavin Lux continued his impressive performance in the second half with a three-hit game.
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Initially, the Dodgers viewed Kershaw’s return as a bonus rather than a necessity. As the season began, the starting rotation was considered a key asset for this year’s team.
However, due to injuries and inconsistencies within the rotation, the Dodgers find themselves relying on Kershaw to be the ace they urgently require. Consistent with his impressive career history, the left-hander is once again stepping up to the challenge.
Kershaw’s most impressive performance since his return from the injured list occurred on Sunday, when he pitched six scoreless innings, leading the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory against the Cardinals and helping Los Angeles finish the seven-game road trip with a winning record.
“It’s undoubtedly challenging for a player to take on the role of a stopper, to pitch deep into games, manage stress multiple times, and continue performing,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “One must experience and endure it to become that person. While everyone aspires to take on that role, you don’t earn it until you accomplish it consistently. Clayton has exemplified that throughout his entire career.”
Throughout his 17-year career in the majors, Kershaw has adapted his approach in various ways. Early in his career, he relied more on velocity than he does now. Last season, a left shoulder injury limited his capabilities on the field.
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Following his first career surgery, Kershaw can now concentrate entirely on his pitching. Though he registered only four swings and misses on Sunday, he managed to minimize hard contact during his performance and made crucial pitches when necessary. His efficiency was remarkable, requiring just 70 pitches to complete six innings.
“To be honest, I don’t even recall what it felt like to have a shoulder that didn’t hurt,” Kershaw reflected. “It feels great. You wake up, and everything is good; my shoulder feels fine. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
This is an even more positive development for the Dodgers, especially considering the current condition of their starting rotation. The team has faced challenges in gaining substantial production from its starters over recent weeks.
Bobby Miller has encountered difficulties in his second season, while Walker Buehler has experienced inconsistency and has had to frequently step in and out of the rotation after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery.
In light of these challenges, the Dodgers have required someone to rise to the occasion. Initially, it felt peculiar not having Kershaw available during the first portion of the season while he was in recovery. However, with his return, he is proving to be the same Kershaw they’ve always known.
Supported by Kershaw, the Dodgers’ offense, missing Freddie Freeman who is recovering from a jammed right middle finger, did just enough to help the left-hander achieve his 212th career victory.
Shohei Ohtani smashed a solo home run in the fifth inning, and Miguel Rojas added to the score with an RBI single. Additionally, Gavin Lux continued his strong performance in the second half of the season with a three-hit game.
This victory was essential for the Dodgers, and they secured it from a familiar source.
“Every time I
“When you get the opportunity to play defense behind Kershaw, you are essentially playing behind a potential first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the fiercest competitors this sport has ever known,” Lux stated. “I didn’t have that chance last year, so every time I get to do it this season, it holds even more significance for me.”