Photo Credit:Los Angeles Dodgers
Post-Game Briefing
In a Sunday afternoon game filled with highlights – Cody Bellinger’s first home run of 2020, Mookie Betts’ splash bomb into the pool – it was still undoubtedly “Clayton Kershaw Day” in every sense of the phrase.
Kershaw, who was making his 2020 debut after being sidelined on Opening Day with back stiffness, was dealing against the Arizona Diamondbacks’ lineup. His fastball averaged between 92 and 93 MPH, and his 12-to-6 curveball was exceptional. Kershaw struck out six over 5.2 innings, giving up no walks and no runs on 81 pitches. Overall, an objectively excellent first outing that led the Dodgers to a 3-0 victory over the Diamondbacks.
"This is the best I've seen him throw in at least two years"
– @OrelHershiser on Clayton Kershaw's outing so far
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) August 2, 2020
Three pitches (all nasty), one out. Kersh was dealing. pic.twitter.com/vKny1gPh6I
— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) August 2, 2020
Betts, who batted leadoff for the first time this season vs. a right-handed pitcher, came up in the top of the fifth with the Dodgers already leading 2-0. He belted a ball over the wall in right center that splashed right into Chase Field’s infamous pool. It was his second home run of the season and second this series. However, Betts was unable to finish the ballgame. He appeared to injure his left hand on the swing a couple pitches before his homer; it was later announced on the broadcast that he left the game with a sore left middle finger. Edwin Rios subsequently pinch hit for Betts in the seventh.
After the Game, Dave Roberts said Betts hurt his finger on a swing and it swelled up after that. The good news is X-rays were negative and Betts is listed as day-to-day.
Here's when the injury apparently happened. pic.twitter.com/x5Y9RywHk2
— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) August 2, 2020
After Pedro Baez relieved Kershaw with one out in the top of the fifth, the bullpen once again stepped up and shut down the Diamondbacks hitters the rest of the way. Kenley Jansen racked up his second save of the year, striking out two and secured the final out with the help of a spectacular catch by Cody Bellinger.
Scoring Plays
- TOP 1ST: Cody Bellinger two-run home run (2-0 LAD)
- TOP 5TH: Mookie Betts solo home run (3-0 LAD)
DLD Play of the Game
Our DLD Play of the Game belongs to Cody Bellinger. Bellinger was hitting .139 with 2 RBI through his first eight games. Roberts gave his struggling outfielder a breather on Saturday and that definitely paid dividends today. Bellinger came up with Turner aboard in the top of the first and deposited a Merrill Kelly 3-2 pitch – a line drive over the right field wall – for his first homer of the season.
He's BACK!!pic.twitter.com/RK3ZvpQY04
— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) August 2, 2020
DLD Player of the Game
The DLD Player of the Game is Clayton Kershaw. His first win of the season was a dandy, and his velocity was particularly impressive. Kershaw threw 20 pitches clocked at 92 MPH or faster, according to Baseball Savant. Last season, he threw just 19 pitches at 92 MPH or more in 178.1 innings, per Eric Stephen of SB Nation.
Kershaw rarely got into trouble. The only time he really had to pitch with traffic on the bases was in the bottom of the fourth. With a slim 2-0 lead, the Diamondbacks were threatening with runners on second and third and Kole Calhoun at the dish. Kershaw, who pitches exceptionally well with men on base, got Calhoun to strike out swinging to end the inning.
Up Next
For the 7-3 Dodgers, it’s been a successful first road trip so far. After sweeping the Astros in a two-game set, the Boys in Blue ended up taking three of four from the Diamondbacks. Now, it’s on to San Diego.
The Dodgers will to play the Padres at Petco Park on Monday at 6:10 p.m. Walker Buehler, making his second start of the season, will face Padres ace Chris Paddack.
Buehler got the no-decision in his first outing vs. the Astros. He pitched 3.2 innings, giving up two earned runs, three hits, and one walk while striking out three. The Dodgers won that game 5-2.
Paddack is making his third start of 2020. Last time out he earned a no-decision on five innings, two earned runs, six hits and six strikeouts in an eventual loss to the Giants, 7-6. Overall, Paddack is 1-0, with a 1.64 ERA.
Jake Reiner covers the Dodgers for Dodgers-LowDown and is a reporter for KCBS/KCAL. Follow him on twitter @Reiner_Jake