KERSHAW MAKES A GOOD MEMORY AT WRIGLEY THIS TIME

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. Austin Barnes homered and drove in three runs, and Freddie Freeman doubled three times and scored twice.

The Dodgers took the nightcap, 6-2. Mookie Betts

went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer and five RBIS, helping the NL West leaders win for the 17th time in 22 games for the sweep.

Kershaw (4-0) gave up five hits, struck out two and walked one. The three-time Cy Young Award winner bounced back from a toughluck 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 twinbill 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.”

Setback for Sale

Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured rib cage in late February, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said.

“He’s had a small, it’s a personal medical issue — it’s not orthopedic, it’s not Covid-related — that paused his throwing for a little while,” Bloom said.

When asked if that will push Sale’s potential return from the 60-day injured list in early June to later that month, Bloom said: “I think, roughly speaking, we were hoping to have him back around when he was eligible. I think we’re talking a few weeks (later) — that’s to have him back to start a major league game.”

The Red Sox signed Sale to a five-year, $145 million contract in March 2019.

Notable

The Seattle Mariners are calling up top pitching prospect George Kirby to take the fifth spot in the rotation and he’ll make his major league debut on today against Tampa Bay. Kirby, 24, was Seattle’s first-round draft pick in 2019. Kirby, a right-hander, started the season at Double-a Arkansas and has been terrific with a 2-0 record and 1.82 ERA in five starts.

The Astros’ win Saturday was manager Dusty Baker’s 2,004th, passing former Padres and Giants manager Bruce Bochy (2,003) for 11th on the alltime list.

Baker became the 12th manager in MLB history and first Black man to reach the 2,000-win plateau on Tuesday night.

Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman issued his first walk of the season against his 137th batter, Cleveland’s Franmil Reyes after 351⁄3 innings without a free pass.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Andrew Mccutchen tested positive for COVID-19.