Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s teammates expressed their appreciation for the veteran after he came into Wednesday’s game for his first relief appearance since 2019.
Kershaw threw a perfect inning in a tied game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and helped the Dodgers on their way to a 5-4 extra-innings win.
“That was just so awesome seeing that, and what he did for us,” reliever Jack Dreyer said. “For somebody who obviously has been a starter his whole career, he showed that the situation does not matter. He just goes in whatever is asked of him, and just performs.
“It’s just another reason why he’s the best ever. Not only can he be the best starting pitcher ever, but he can come in the ninth, it’s a tight game, and just perform like that.”
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Wednesday’s win brought the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the NL West to one. They went on to clinch the division the following day in their series finale against the D-Backs.
“It just speaks volumes to who he is,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “That’s something he’s never shied away from, and that’s taking the ball. He’s always done whatever has been best for the team. And for a guy to have his caliber do that speaks volumes. I’ve seen it for so many years now.”
Kershaw has been among the Dodgers’ best pitchers all season, posting a 3.52 ERA through his 22 appearances. Despite his performances as a starter this season, he may stay in the bullpen and become a relief arm during the postseason — at least during the Wild Card round. The Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto lined up for the series if need be, so they could use Kershaw in the later innings.
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“You know, he’s living in the moment,” said infielder Miguel Rojas. “He’s not worrying about what’s going to happen next year, or how his arm is going to feel. He’s willing to do whatever to help the team. And when you see him on the mound, it just raises everyone’s level of intensity.
“He means more to the team than words can describe.”
Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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