The Walk Off: Clayton Kershaw continues historic run
Welcome to The Walk Off, the nightly MLB recap from Big League Stew. Here we’ll look at the top performers of the night, show you a must-see highlight and rundown the scoreboard. First, we start with a game you need to know about.
The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped out to an early lead and Clayton Kershaw took over from there. When Kershaw took the mound in the bottom of the first inning Thursday night, the Dodgers were already up 4-0 after pelting New York Mets starter Bartolo Colon for four runs, including a three-run home run by Yasmani Grandal.
That was more than enough for Kershaw. Chase Utley’s solo shot in the second would have been enough. Kershaw pitched a complete game shutout, allowing three hits and one walk and striking out 13 in a 5-0 win for the Dodgers. Juan Lagares was the only player not to strike out for the Mets, and that includes the two pinch-hitters who went to the plate.
For most pitchers, that would most likely be a career-best outing. For Kershaw, it was the latest in what’s been an incredible early-season run.
A three-time NL Cy Young award winner and former MVP, Kershaw continues to add to his lofty resume. The Dodgers left-hander has made five straight starts with 10 or more strikeouts and one or zero walks, which is a major-league record. He has 77 strikeouts compared to four walks this season and a 1.74 ERA. That’s four walks in eight starts, which is absurd. Thursday’s victory improved Kershaw’s record to 5-1 and it was his 65th win at Dodger Stadium, passing Don Drysdale for fifth on the all-time Dodger Stadium wins list.
Fernando Valenzuela (69), Orel Hershisher (76) and Claude Osteen (79) are next on that list for Kershaw to catch while Don Sutton is on top with 126 wins. Kershaw showed again with his gem against the Mets that when he’s on the game, there’s nobody better in baseball.
TOP PERFORMERS
David Price: Price looked like his Cy Young caliber self, striking out 12 over 6 2/3 innings in the Boston Red Sox’s 11-1 win over the Houston Astros. That’s one way to quell concerns about the uneven start to his Red Sox career. There are no concerns about Boston’s offence, as they scored more than 10 runs for the fourth straight game, eight of them coming against reigning AL Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel.
Odubell Herrera: The Philadelphia Phillies leadoff hitter reached base five times in a 7-4 extra innings win against the Atlanta Braves, going 4-for-4 with a walk. Through 35 games Herrera is hitting .339/.450/.460 and is a big reason the Phillies are exceeding expectations.
Matt Holliday: In a game where both starters were off – Adam Wainwright gave up seven runs, six of them earned, in five innings and Jered Weaver allowed eight in four innings – Holliday led the way offensively for the St. Louis Cardinals, going 4-for-5 with two home runs in a 12-10 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
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MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHT
When he connected with the ball and he watched it sail over the left field fence, it must have been the ultimate relief for New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley. The second inning home run scored two runs for New York as they beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3, but it meant more than just two RBIs for Headley. It’s May 12. Headley has been healthy, playing in 29 games. The home run was his first extra-base hit this season, highlighting how much he’s struggled at the plate. If the Yankees are going to work their way out of last place in the AL East, they need Headley to step up. It’s a start.
THE REST OF THE SCOREBOARD
Orioles 7, Tigers 5: Manny Machado and Chris Davis each had two hits to help Baltimore rally and erase a 5-0 Detroit lead.
Padres 3, Brewers 0: James Shields pitched seven scoreless innings for San Diego, striking out nine, while Melvin Upton Jr. went 3-for-4 with a home run.
Giants 4, Diamondbacks 2: Johnny Cueto came out on top in a battle against Zack Greinke, giving up two runs over seven innings and striking out nine.
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Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr
