Kershaw gets 200th win in vintage performance
LOS ANGELES » The first win of Clayton Kershaw's career was unlike his 200th in some ways, but perhaps the most important was this: his teammates smashed a shaving cream pie in his face to christen the first occasion.
“Hopefully,” Kershaw said on July 27, 2008, “there's more to come.”
Five ERA titles, three Cy Young Awards, one National League MVP and one championship ring later, Kershaw earned win No. 200 on a cool April night at Dodger Stadium, joining Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Max Scherzer as the only active pitchers to reach the milestone.
Kershaw's performance was a familiar one. He did not allow a run for seven innings, striking out nine in the Dodgers' 5-0 win over the New York Mets. J.D. Martinez hit two home runs, driving in four before the announced crowd of 46,884 at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw threw a firstpitch strike to 19 of the 24 batters he faced. For six innings, the only hit he allowed was an infield single to Francisco Lindor. The seventh inning was the only one resembling an adventure.
Lindor battled for nine pitches before striking out on a hanging slider. Pete Alonso struck out on the third pitch of his at-bat. The next batter, Mark Canha, fouled off seven pitches with a full count before punching a single into right to extend the inning.
Kershaw allowed another single to Jeff McNeil, putting runners on first and third. Then he came back to strike out Tommy Pham on a classic slider to end the inning. The 2,833rd strikeout of Kershaw's career tied Mickey Lolich for 22nd all-time.
With a runner on first base in the eighth inning, second baseman Miguel Vargas leaped to catch Brett Baty's line drive, landed, and quickly threw to first baseman Freddie Freeman to double up pinch runner Francisco Alvarez. That preceded Evan Phillips pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Brusdar Graterol pitched a scoreless ninth.
Martinez's two home runs staked Kershaw (3-1) to an early 3-0 lead against Tylor Megill (3-1). The veteran designated hitter finished 4 for 5 as the Dodgers' No. 3 hitter.
In the eighth inning, Austin Barnes walked, stole second base, went to third on a single by James Outman, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Martinez then drove in Outman with a single to right-center field, providing the final run.
When he was 20 years old, Kershaw made nine starts for the Dodgers to begin the 2008 season without recording a win. His 200th win came a mere six days after his 199th.
Others in Kershaw realm have extended their careers by finding something new — Greinke a new pitch, Verlander a new elbow ligament. Kershaw has no new pitches. His average fastball velocity is essentially unchanged the past five seasons.
But his performance Tuesday was vintage. He's allowed three hits or less in a start of seven innings or more on 65 occasions. Only Nolan Ryan (134), Roger Clemens (80), Randy Johnson (78) and Tom Seaver (66) have more.
Megill Reyes Brigham Curtiss
W: L: Inherited runners-scored: Brigham 2-0; Umpires: Home, Shane Livensparger. First, Dan Bellino. Second, Phil Cuzzi. Third, Mark Ripperger; T: 2:33; A: 46,884 (56,000).