Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers
Post-Game Briefing
The Dodgers entered Thursday night looking to sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks with Clayton Kershaw on the mound. Kershaw was magnificent, shutting out Arizona over six innings, striking out eight and earning the victory with a final score of 5-1. The Dodgers’ ace even carried a no-hitter into the sixth, but perhaps most impressive, was the milestone he achieved. In the second inning Kershaw struck out D-Backs’ shortstop Nick Ahmed, which earned the lefty his 2,500th career strikeout. He became the 39th pitcher in MLB history to accomplish that feat.
The Dodgers scored in the bottom of the first on a error by D-Backs first baseman Christian Walker and then scored again on a single by Chris Taylor to take an early 2-0 lead. Thats all they would need as Kershaw was lights out.
AJ Pollock later added some insurance with a pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the seventh and Mookie Betts tacked on an RBI single to make it a 4-1 game.
Pollock: Sorry Alanna. Gotta HR to belt!pic.twitter.com/mpBhkpy14M
— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) September 4, 2020
The bullpen shut it down the rest of way as the Dodgers cruised to a 5-1 win and a series sweep. The Dodgers have now won 12 of their last 15 games and lead the NL West by six games.
Scoring Plays
- BOT 1ST: Cody Bellinger ground out, Corey Seager scores on error (1-0 LAD)
- BOT 1ST: Chris Taylor RBI single (2-0 LAD)
- TOP 7th: Andy Young RBI fielder’s choice (2-1 LAD)
- BOT 7th: A.J. Pollock solo home run (3-1 LAD)
- BOT 7th: Mookie Betts RBI single (4-1 LAD)
- BOT 8th: Kike Hernandez RBI single (5-1 LAD)
Play of the Game
DLD’s Play of the Game goes to ace Clayton Kershaw for achieving his 2,500th career strikeout in the 2nd inning adding yet another milestone in his Hall of Fame career.
2500 Ks!@ClaytonKersh22 is now the 39th pitcher ever to reach the mark. pic.twitter.com/5Em23Cl0G0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2020
Player of the Game
Earning DLD’s player of the game is, you guessed it, Clayton Kershaw for achieving his 2,500th strikeout in his career.
Up Next
The struggling Rockies (18-19) come to town for a 3-game weekend series starting on Friday. Dustin May (2.83 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) is slated to be on the mound for the Dodgers.
Opposing him will be Antonio Senzatela who has a 3.32 ERA with 28 Ks and 7 walks so far this season. First pitch is scheduled to be 6:40 PM PT.