Dodgers Highlights: Clayton Kershaw Dominates, Offense Continue to Hum as LA Salvages Series vs Reds With Win
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have a happy flight on Thursday. At least it’ll be much happier than it would have been had they left on Tuesday or Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Dodgers took down the Cincinnati Reds in dominant fashion in the series finale, 6-0, behind another great Clayton Kershaw start and an impressive showing by the LA bats.
Kershaw gets a well-deserved win No. 8 on the year, as the Dodgers move to 36-27 and salvage the series in Cincinnati with a win.
Let’s get into the highlights:
For the first time this series, it was a scoreless first (and second) inning all around — but the Dodgers still struck first in this one.
In the top of the third inning, after Austin Barnes hit Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft with a comebacker, the Dodgers offense took off.
Freddie Freeman singled in a run to make it 1-0. Then, after a Max Muncy walk, David Peralta singled in two with the bases loaded, and the Dodgers led 3-0 in the blink of an eye.
In the top of the fourth, the onslaught continued, as Chris Taylor continued his underrated season with a leadoff home run, his 10th of the season. He had 10 all of last year.
Taylor homer? Hits different 'cause it's you. pic.twitter.com/t3oMnWq5Fv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 8, 2023
Then, after a James Outman walk, Barnes doubles him in, and the Dodgers were up 5-0. Mookie Betts was next up and he singled, and Freeman hit a sacrifice fly, and the Dodgers led 6-0.
The Dodgers offense stopped there, but it proved to be more than enough with Kershaw on the mound.
Kershaw dominated the Reds, something no other Dodger pitcher had been able to do this series.
He pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out nine. He had an incredible 17 swings-and-misses, and lowered his ERA to 2.95 on the year.
Clayton Kershaw's day is likely done.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 8, 2023
He single-handedly shut down a Reds offense that the Dodgers have otherwise struggled with all series long. His line:
7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
He had 17 swings-and-misses. He season ERA is down to 2.95.
He's just so, so good.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) June 8, 2023
Clayton Kershaw is STILL the Dodgers best pitcher.
Recently recalled RHP Tayler Scott — who replaced RHP Noah Syndergaard on the active roster — pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth, and the Dodgers won 6-0.
Up Next
The Dodgers travel to Philadelphia for a three-game series with Trea Turner, Craig Kimbrel and the Phillies starting on Friday. Michael Grove is pitching the series opener against LHP Ranger Suarez. First pitch for Friday’s game is at 4:05 p.m. PT.
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