The New York Mets offense was held at bay by one of the best pitchers in baseball, Clayton Kershaw on Thursday night. Kershaw tossed a three-hit shutout while racking up 13 strikeouts in the Dodgers 5-0 defeat of the Mets.
Last night marked his fifth consecutive start of 10 strikeouts while allowing one walk or less, which is a MLB and Dodgers record. Kershaw has put himself up their with Sandy Koufax with the way he has been able to master the craft of pitching. Dodgers closer, Kenley Jansen is amazed at what the all-time great has done over his career.
“Watching him doing that, man, I don’t know what to think,” Jansen said. “I wasn’t there when Sandy Koufax was there, but to see him break all these records … he’s the best, man, the best on the planet.” (MLB.com)
Yesterday marked Kershaw’s 250th career start. When the Dodgers score four or more runs for the star pitcher, he has been unbeatable, with a record of 81-0. First year manager, Dave Roberts could not be happier than to have a pitcher as reliable as Kershaw on the mound every five games.
“If we don’t have enough incentive to get four runs when he pitches, there you have it,” Roberts said. “It’s just a credit to him. When you need a shutout and to save your bullpen, he does that. If you give him a lead, he has that way that you know he smells the finish line and smells blood.”
Kershaw has been incredible to start the year. He currently owns a 5-1 record with a 1.74 ERA. Clayton has yet to be defeated but he Mets in the regular season, holding a 7-0 record.
