Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The game didn’t really matter for the Dodgers aside from petty rivalry reasons, but it was significant due to it potentially being Clayton Kershaw‘s last home start in the regular season for his career, depending on what he chooses to do after the season. The team seemed motivated to back him, leading from pole-to-pole in a 7-0 win over the Giants.
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In keeping up with tradition, Kershaw delivered once again against the Giants in what might be his final home start against them, going five shutout innings.
He did face some trouble, giving up an infield single and a walk in the 3rd, then a double and a walk in the 5th. However, despite his velocity still being down, he managed to work out of said trouble with some help from David Peralta.
Clayton Kershaw is pleased. pic.twitter.com/i4Pjax4C1L
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 24, 2023
I don’t know how, but he’s still effective: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 76 Pitches.
Clayton Kershaw, Cooperstown Curveball. ? pic.twitter.com/QH3T3QTXtC
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 24, 2023
On the other end, the Giants threw a pen game that didn’t go all that well. The scoring started in the 2nd when J.D. Martinez smacked his 31st homer of the year.
Just Dingers starts the scoring with a … well. pic.twitter.com/cy4EHY7eUr
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 24, 2023
He struck again in the 3rd, as after a Mookie Betts walk and Max Muncy single, J.D. doubled down the right-field line for two runs with two outs to push the lead to 3-0.
Just Doubles drives home a pair, still accounts for all the Dodgers runs. pic.twitter.com/S9VXKfnKrz
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 24, 2023
They started to open the game up in the 5th, as an Austin Barnes infield single was followed by another Betts walk, and a bloop double from Freddie Freeman plated a run.
Freddie Freeman somehow doubles (again) to drive in another run. pic.twitter.com/VmPvn07n0C
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 24, 2023
A single from Muncy followed as he pushed the score to 5-0, though they wasted the chance to pile on after that.
Max Muncy enjoys playing the Giants. pic.twitter.com/FzCxD3TYMe
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 24, 2023
Relieving Kershaw was Joe Kelly in the 6th, who looked healthy in striking out a pair in a dominant 11-pitch inning. Back from the IL, Michael Grove was given the 7th, and he had a nice time with a clean 12-pitch frame himself. He continued on in the 8th, issuing a walk but also adding two more strikeouts to keep things rolling along.
That bought some time for the offense to continue to pile on, as after a quiet 6th and stranding the bases loaded in the 7th, the Dodgers saw a Peralta double and Barnes walk cashed in by a Mookie double to push things to 7-0.
Mookie Betts doubles home a pair to add to the lead. pic.twitter.com/uY5rPXQsp0
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 24, 2023
King Mookie.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2023
Congratulations Mookie on setting a new Major League record for most runs driven in from the leadoff spot in a single season! pic.twitter.com/tgLWcaNxXO
That left Caleb Ferguson to close the game out in the 9th, and he did just that with a clean frame to complete the shutout.
Definitely a nice win to get, for Kershaw if nothing else.
There will never be another Clayton Kershaw.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2023
Congratulations Clayton on moving up to second place in Dodger franchise history with 210 wins! pic.twitter.com/szlHF2t5Tn
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| NL | RECORD |
|---|---|
| Braves | 99-55 |
| Dodgers | 95-59 (4 GB) |
*Either still playing or will play later.
Bye bye, Brewers.
This number is now 0
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) September 24, 2023
Dodgers’ first playoff game is NLDS Game 1 on October 7 at Dodger Stadium
The series will conclude tomorrow a couple hours earlier at 1:00 PM HT/4:00 PM PT/7:00 PM ET because they’ll be on ESPN. The thrilling matchup will be Lance Lynn and … another pen game, it seems.
