Dodgers: Dave Roberts Praises Clayton Kershaw in Victory
The Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, and will look for the series sweep on Wednesday’s YouTube exclusive game.
Clayton Kershaw delivered a vintage performance tossing 7 innings and allowing only 4 hits, 1 walk and a run with striking out 9. On what was likely his “last batter,” per Dave Roberts, Kershaw was saved on an electric play in right field by Joc Pederson, ending a threat for the Cardinals.
Joc Speederson. pic.twitter.com/fAONpVas6a
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 7, 2019
After the game, the Dodger manager had applauded Kershaw’s effort.
"That was probably his [Kershaw's] last hitter so for Joc to make that play was big."
Dave Roberts applauds the team's defensive effort and Kershaw's outing in tonight's #Dodgers win. pic.twitter.com/xwxKN54Ygf
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 7, 2019
Very pleased, early it just seemed like once that third inning, he just kind of, got into a rhythm, and his tempo picked up, and he was really good.
He started going a little more arm side, slider was really good, had the depth, actually seemed like he changed speeds on the slider. There was an 87 in there, there was an 83, so it was just a little different velocity with the slider, but really good depth, and just kind of the front to back tonight, really good.
Just efficient and he just really corralled that first couple of innings, that he just didn’t seem like he was in sync.
As Roberts alluded to, Kershaw did not start out particularly in sync as he was searching for his slider. Doc adds his thoughts.
I don’t recall exactly when during the game, but there was a point where — and typically Clayton throws it [the slider] one velocity — but some time in the middle innings he just really was shaping it, and he just really got into a groove and just had that feel for the slider.
And even in the 6th and 7th inning, the curveball was really good.
Kenley Jansen came in and earned save number 26 on the season, career save number 294 — as Kershaw earned his 11th win of the season.
After going 9-5 in 2018, Clayton is now 11-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 2019 as he continues to adapt to his reduced velocity with a new way to dominate.
Clayton’s next win ties Sandy Koufax. An important milestone. His ERA has slowly been dropping the last few weeks; and if he keeps it up, he will be in the top 3 again. Been #1 5 times and #3 once. He was 6th heading into tonight. I really think he is going to twirl a shutout soon, and creep further up. Hyun-Jin is just so dominating this year that I think that 1st is out of the question. Hat’s off to Clayton for silencing his critics.
Hey Tom………….RE: Your question yesterday?…I think it was something like…..”Joc Pederson is still in the lineup why?”………..Did you see the catch he made in the 7th inning of the game last nite? That catch saved the game………..He can make plays to save games like he did for Kershaw against the Cardinals last nite. One answer anyway………
Dave Robert’s comments here lend creedence to using the opener concept with Kershaw. Let him “corral” his first couple innings against the back end of a line-up. He typically gives up his runs in the 1st and 2nd.
Even if Clayton has not silenced his critics, they all should shut up.
EL KERCHA ! Love watching him make games boring , I’m waiting for the no hitter I promised to my sons ! We watch from COLIMA MEXICO and even thou baseball is not played in the region we play it at home WHEN WE SPIT WE SPIT DODGER BLUE