Dodgers Highlights: Clayton Kershaw Shoves, Bats Come Alive Late to Beat Angels, End Losing Streak
The Dodgers beat the Angels, 2-0, on Tuesday night, ending their losing streak and getting a much-needed win in the series opener in Anaheim. Clayton Kershaw continued to be his dominant self, as he dueled Reid Detmers, who had a great game of his own.
The Dodgers ultimately got to the Angels bullpen, while the Dodgers bullpen (thankfully) shut things down. The Dodgers are now 40-33 on the year, just 3.5 games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who lost on Tuesday.
Let’s get into the highlights.
It was a pitcher’s duel for the first six-plus innings of this one. A couple lefties — Kershaw and Detmers — were on the mound, and they were absolutely dealing.
Through six innings, both pitchers were in the midst of shutouts, in a game that was absolutely flying by.
Clayton Kershaw is through six shutout innings against the Angels. His current line:
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 21, 2023
6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 10 swings-and-misses, 80 pitches.
The Dodgers really need to get him some run support. He's doing everything he can to keep them in this game.
In the top of the seventh inning, Will Smith led off with a single off Detmers for the Dodgers’ second hit of the game. It seemed like it was finally time for the bats to come alive, but the next three Dodgers were retired in order, and Detmers was through seven scoreless innings.
Angels LHP Reid Detmers entered this start against the Dodgers with a 4.48 ERA on the year.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 21, 2023
He just finished seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out eight.
The Dodgers are wasting yet another Clayton Kershaw gem.
Then, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Kershaw got into some trouble.
Brandon Drury led off with a single and Hunter Renfroe followed it up with his second double of the game. With runners at second and third and no outs, though, Kershaw got to work.
Kevin Padlo grounded out and Chad Wallach struck out. Then, after a Luis Rengifo walk, Kershaw got Andrew Velazquez to ground out to end the inning. He finished seven scoreless innings and lowered his season ERA to 2.72. He’s just so, so good.
Clayton Kershaw allowed runners on second and third with no outs in the 7th. He didn't flinch.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 21, 2023
He got two groundout and a strikeout and finished seven scoreless innings.
7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Another dominant performance from the Dodgers ace. His ERA is down to 2.72. Wow.
Clayton. Kershaw. pic.twitter.com/M5Yk5ihnos
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 21, 2023
In the top of the eighth inning, the Dodgers offense finally came alive. Miguel Rojas hit a one-out double, bringing up the rookie Michael Busch.
Busch hit an incredible, weird-hopping single that went over the first baseman and gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
The Dodgers offense came through for Clayton Kershaw.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 21, 2023
Miguel Rojas doubled, Michael Busch hit an RBI single and the Dodgers lead 1-0 over the Angels in the top of the eighth inning.
Busch got some major help on a huge hop over the first baseman.
Kershaw is in line for the win.
Then, after a Freddie Freeman single, Smith hit an RBI single, giving the Dodgers a massive 2-0 lead. By the way, make sure to vote Will Smith into the All-Star game. He’s currently second among National League catchers.
My biggest takeaway from this game is Clayton Kershaw and Will Smith can clearly play together.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 21, 2023
Smith's bat is way too important to be out of the lineup every Kershaw day for Austin Barnes.
Smith's defense kept the Angels at 0 and his RBI single gave the Dodgers huge insurance.
SHOUTOUT WILL SMITH!!!
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 21, 2023
DODGERS LEAD 2-0!!!!
VOTE THIS MAN INTO THE ALL-STAR GAME!!!https://t.co/zHCVN347n3
Caleb Ferguson came on in the bottom of the eighth inning to face Taylor Ward, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Ward flied out, Ohtani struck out swinging and Trout struck out looking.
That was the biggest "I'm him" performance from Caleb Ferguson.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 21, 2023
He just struck out Shohei Ohtani swinging and Mike Trout looking.
The Dodgers lead 2-0 as we head to the top of the ninth.
Then, after a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning, Evan Phillips came in to get the save.
The Angels were retied in order, and the Dodgers got back in the win column.
Up Next
The Dodgers and Angels play the second and final game of the series on Wednesday with first pitch at 6:38 p.m. PT. The Dodgers haven’t yet named a starter — but it’s likely to be Michael Grove — while Shohei Ohtani is pitching for the Halos.
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