Kershaw dominates Cubs, L.A. wins twin-bill opener
Clayton Kershaw remembered getting knocked out in the shortest start of his stellar career. Fair to say, things went a little better for him in his return to Wrigley Field.
Kershaw dominated over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the struggling Chicago Cubs 7-0 in the opener of a split doubleheader on Saturday.
Freddie Freeman doubled three times and scored twice, helping the NL West leaders win for the 16th time in 21 games. Austin Barnes homered and drove in three runs.
Kershaw (4-0) gave up five hits, struck out two and walked one. The three-time Cy Young Award winner bounced back from a tough-luck loss to Detroit in which he surpassed Hall of Famer Don Sutton as the Dodgers’ career strikeout leader.
It was also a huge improvement over his previous appearance at Wrigley. Kershaw lasted just one inning on May 4, 2021, and the Dodgers lost 7-1 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Asked if he feels better about pitching in the Friendly Confines, Kershaw said, “Not really. But it worked out today.”
On a windy afternoon, Kershaw combined with two relievers for Los Angeles’ third shutout of the season. The twin-bill was part of a makeup from Friday’s rainout.
“Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good,” Kershaw said. “Those first couple innings, they hit a lot of balls hard and right at guys. The wind was swirling, pushing the ball in a little bit.”
Barnes hit a solo drive in the fourth against Drew Smyly and added a tworun single in the eighth. Justin Turner drove in two with a double in the fifth, making it 4-0 and the Dodgers continued to roll along coming off a twogame sweep of San Francisco in which they outscored their rivals by a combined 12-2.
The Cubs were hurt by sloppy play in the field and on the bases in their eighth loss in 10 games. They were shut out for the first time since a 10-0 drubbing by Milwaukee on Aug. 11, 2021.
Reds 9, Pirates 2: Pittsburgh emergency catcher Josh VanMeter had a rough time in his first try behind the plate since he was a teenager, and host Cincinnati took advantage to end a nine-game losing streak, beating the Pirates Saturday in the opener of a doubleheader.
Mets at Phillies, ppd.: The game between New York and Philadelphia was postponed due to rain for a second straight day. Saturday’s game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Sunday.
AAAMERICAN LEAGUE
Blue Jays 8, Guardians 3: George Springer and Raimel Tapia each drove in three runs in the first four innings against Shane Bieber,
Apowering Toronto over host Cleveland in the first game of a doubleheader. Toronto scored four runs in the second and three in the fourth off 2020 AL Cy Young winner Bieber, who gave up a career-high-tying seven runs in 3 1⁄3 innings. He did not have a strikeout for the first time in 86 career starts and 88 total appearances.
Twins 1, Athletics 0:
Jorge Polanco homered in the sixth inning and four Minnesota pitchers made it stand up, blanking visiting Oakland and sending the Athletics to their eighth straight loss. Minnesota pitchers combined to strike out 15 while allowing just three hits. The Twins won again minus manager Rocco Baldelli, who is out with COVID-19.
Astros 3, Tigers 2:
Jose Altuve homered early, and Michael Brantley tripled in a two-run eighth to help help Houston run its winning streak to a season-best six games after beating Detroit.
Royals at Orioles, ppd:
The game between Baltimore and Kansas City was postponed because of rain. The teams also had a game Friday night called off. The Royals and Orioles will try to play a straight doubleheader Sunday, and then another game Monday afternoon on what was a mutual off day.
Rangers at Yankees, ppd.: The series opener between Texas and New York was been postponed for a second straight day because of rain. The Rangers and Yankees will make up the game on Monday at 1:05 p.m.
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