Dodgers Highlights: Clayton Kershaw Dominates, JD Martinez Powers LA to Series Opening Win
The Dodgers took the series opener in Colorado, 5-0, getting their six-game road trip off on the right foot. Clayton Kershaw silenced the Rockies, while J.D. Martinez hit home runs No. 299 and 300 of his career to power LA to victory.
Let’s get into the highlights of this one.
After a scoreless first inning, the Dodgers offense got rolling in the second. They quickly loaded the bases for James Outman, who hit an RBI single to right field to make it 1-0. Then, Miguel Rojas hit a sacrifice fly, and just like that, it was 2-0.
In the top of the third inning, J.D. Martinez doubled the Dodgers lead with a two-run shot, his 17th home run of the season. Martinez, who’s looking to make the All-Star team this season, has now surpassed his home run total from last year, when he had 16 home runs in 596 plate appearances for the Boston Red Sox. This was also home run No. 299 of his career.
J.D. Martinez hits his 299th career home run and the Dodgers lead 4-0.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 28, 2023
He now has 17 home runs in 261 plate appearances this season for LA.
He had 16 home runs in 596 plate appearances all of last season with the Red Sox.
While the Dodgers offense was putting up runs, Kershaw was shutting down the Rockies. He was perfect through four innings, before giving up a leadoff walk in the fifth. However, a double play and a groundout quickly ended that inning, and gave him a no-hitter through five.
Clayton Kershaw has retired all 12 Rockies he's faced to open this game.
He entered this game with a 4.82 ERA in 155 career innings at Coors Field, his worst at any ballpark in which he's thrown more than 4 innings.
The Dodgers are so lucky to have him leading their rotation.— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 28, 2023
Clayton Kershaw is through five scoreless, no-hit innings for the Dodgers.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 28, 2023
He's allowed just one walk, but has faced the minimum amount of batters thanks to a double play.
In the top of the sixth inning, Martinez went back for more. Martinez hit his second home run of the game, which was also the 300th of his incredible career. It was yet another milestone for the Dodgers this season, and definitely led to another champagne toast in the Dodgers clubhouse after the game.
J.D. Martinez has homered again.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 28, 2023
He now has 300 home runs in his career.
Champagne toast incoming in the Dodgers clubhouse after this game.
He now has 18 home runs in 262 plate appearances this season, after hitting 16 home runs in 596 last year. What a signing.
JUST DINGERS X300!!!!!
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 28, 2023
As a reminder, the Dodgers are paying Martinez just $10 million this season. What a steal.
J.D. Martinez has homered again.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 28, 2023
He now has 300 home runs in his career.
Champagne toast incoming in the Dodgers clubhouse after this game.
He now has 18 home runs in 262 plate appearances this season, after hitting 16 home runs in 596 last year. What a signing.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kershaw’s no-hitter finally came to an end with two outs on a line drive to left field. Max Muncy almost made the play, but he wasn’t able to snag it, and the no-hitter was over.
Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter ends after 5.2 innings.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 28, 2023
What an incredible performance by the GOAT.
However, that runner was quickly taken care of on a pickoff by Kershaw.
Clayton Kershaw with the pickoff to end the inning.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 28, 2023
He's STILL just faced the minimum amount of Rockies today through six innings.
As Kershaw came off the field after six one-hit innings, he motioned to Dave Roberts that he was done. We don’t know if it was due to injury or just being done for the day, but we hope it’s the latter. Either way, it was another great performance by Kershaw in a stadium he’s struggled at in his career.
Clayton Kershaw entered this start with a 4.82 ERA in 155 career innings at Coors Field. His final line today:
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 28, 2023
6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
He told Dave Roberts he was done as he came off the field after the sixth inning. What a great performance in a tough ballpark to pitch at.
The Dodgers bullpen shut things down in the last few innings — despite three straight walks from Phil Bickford in the ninth — and LA secured the 5-0 series opening victory.
Up Next
The Dodgers and Rockies play the middle game of the three-game set on Wednesday with first pitch set for 5:40 p.m. PT. The Dodgers don’t yet have a scheduled starter, in what’s likely to be a bullpen game.
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