The (58-30) Los Angeles Dodgers (of Los Angeles) began the weekend on the road, a couple of games ahead of the 2022 All-Star break. Friday night kicked off the first of two ‘Freeway Series’ games against the (39-52) Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim) at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Thanks to LA traffic, the stands were mostly empty as the matchup got underway and slowly began to fill to capacity with a crowd of both Dodger and Angel fans – 44,648 strong.
If someone happened to miss the broadcast, they might not know that Dodgers left-handed starter and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw pitched a gem. Any start by the fourteen-year Dodger is affectionately dubbed “Kershaw Day” and the popular 34-year-old hurler did not disappoint.
Kershaw threw a perfect game through seven innings. He ultimately gave up a leadoff double to Angels’ infielder Luis Rengifo in the top of the eighth. Before that transpired, the lefty limited the Halos to no walks or runs, and six strikeouts before giving up his only hit. Of the 89 total pitches thrown, 63 of them were for strikes. At the end of the eighth, he walked off the field to a standing ovation – no small feat in an opponent’s stadium – with a 2.13 ERA and his seventh win of the season.
Speaking about the potential achievement with SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson, Kershaw described how he felt as the innings progressed.
“You know the crowd was awesome tonight. You know it’s pretty mixed, Dodger/Angel fans and after the sixth inning, seventh inning, you kind of feel like they’re into it a little bit,” the southpaw remarked. “And then you know for me, after the seventh inning, it starts feeling real. And sure enough, right there I gave up a hit. So, it was a fun night though for sure.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had the highest of praise for his ace when describing Kershaw’s work ethic and dedication to the sport.
“He’s just the ultimate competitor. I’ve just never really seen anyone focus on his particular start day like Clayton,” said Roberts postgame. “Just the consistency that he’s had throughout his career is remarkable. It’s really special.”
Dodgers right-handed reliever Reyes Moronta would come in to toss the ninth inning. Despite giving up one home run to break up the shutout, the Boys in Blue went on to collect a dominating 9-1 win, doing so on a combined 12 hits.
Aside from Kershaw’s stellar outing, the team showed up both defensively and offensively, plating nine runs. From a defensive standpoint, at least three key plays helped support him in keeping his pitch count down.
Roberts expertly summed it all up during his postgame interview.
“I know he doesn’t like the word ‘vintage.’ But it was vintage Clayton. It was just fun to watch, it was fun to be a part of,” praised Roberts. “You can start to smell it in the middle of the game guys are making plays all night long. Hanser made a couple plays, Trayce made a couple plays, Justin, and you can smell something brewing. He just had command of everything. Lot of arm-side stuff today, the breaking ball, slider, got ahead really well. And you know we just came up a little short, but what an outing.”
Doc was referring specifically to his infielders’ defense. Third baseman Justin Turner made an incredible leaping catch in the bottom of the fourth inning to throw out Angels second baseman Michael Stefanic at first base. Second baseman Hanser Alberto helped protect the lead with a lunging catch off the bat of Angels’ first baseman Jared Walsh to end the fifth inning. Alberto was so in command that he managed to stay on his feet after making the fantastic running stab. In the bottom of the seventh, Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner stopped another grounder from Stefanic and spun around to get it to first base in time to secure the out.
Kershaw reiterated that the defense really stepped up to back him up each time he took the mound.
“I mean, I think I probably should have given up like five hits by then at that point. The defense was unbelievable,” Kershaw recounted. “I mean JT (Justin Turner), Trea, they (the Angels) lined out a few times right at guys, so tonight was one of those nights where it kind of felt like it might happen just because we had like such great defense and good luck with the line-drive out. It was a fun night. The offense was unbelievable. I felt like I was waiting over there half the time just to pitch, so it was a good night and a good way to go into the (All-Star) break.”
Since 1880, there have only been 23 perfect games pitched. Clayton Kershaw has flirted with achieving that twice now this season. Although he came close again Friday night, to receive a standing ovation in a rival team’s ballpark, a cross-town rival at that, is still pretty extraordinary. As he walked off the field, most of the stadium was already on their feet, loudly congratulating him for his phenomenal outing.
With one more game left in the series, Roberts is already starting to look forward to his lefty’s next accomplishment.
“He’s just had a tremendous first half, obviously a tremendous career,” Doc said. “And you know I’m looking forward to seeing him pitch at Dodger Stadium on Monday and hopefully it’s the first pitch of the game.”
Many of the Dodger faithful are hoping the same thing. Having their (now) nine-time All-Star ace possibly take the mound as the National League’s starter would be icing on the cake – especially with the 92nd All-Star Game being held in at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 1980.
Let’s go Dodgers!