Recap: Clayton Kershaw Loses Perfect Game In 7th, Throws Complete Game

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Yasmani Grandal led off the fifth inning witha single to center, only for Puig to follow by grounding into a double play — it was the third time in as many innings Colon got the Dodgers to hit into one. Kiké Hernandez grounded to Flores and the top of the fifth was over just as soon as it began.

John Mayberry Jr. checked his swing on the first pitch in the bottom of the fifth and hit a little tapper out in front of the plate that Grandal popped out of his squat to take care of. Grandal made another terrific play to chase down a strike three pitch that skipped away and rolled toward the Mets’ dugout.

His throw to first base was just in time, though on replay Eric Campbell appeared safe by half a step. Gonzalez also did his part in the play, making a nice pick of Grandal’s short-hopped throw. Kershaw then struck out Lucas Duda in a more traditional manner to end the inning with six strikeouts through five frames.

With two outs in the sixth Pederson believed Colon’s pitched grazed him, though home plate umpire Ben May disagreed. The Dodgers successfully challenged the ruling and Pederson was awarded first base. Nothing came of it as Turner flied to left for the third out.

Kershaw opened the bottom of the sixth with another strikeout. Anthony Rekker made contact but it resulted in a groundout. Colon, seemingly aware of Kershaw’s perfect game, swung from his heels and struck out to end the sixth.

After Gonzalez hit a leadoff single in the seventh Colon proceeded to retire the next three batters faced, ending the inning by striking out Puig. Granderson fell behind in the count 0-2 then broke up Kershaw’s perfect game with a leadoff single to right in the bottom of the seventh.

Flores dropped a bloop single into right field that put two runners on with one out, including the tying run at second base. Kershaw kept the Mets off the scoreboard by striking out Mayberry Jr., and getting Campbell to groundout to short.

For as much attention as Kershaw garnered, Colon was no doubt also impressive as he retired the side in the eighth to keep the Dodgers lead at 1-0. Duda drove a base hit by a diving Hernandez, who was playing in shallow right field as part of a shift. Duda was promptly picked off first base and the Mets went away quietly in the eighth.

Sean Gilmartin took over in the ninth and gave up a trio of singles, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs. With Alex Guerrero on deck to pinch-hit for Ethier, the Mets countered by bringing in right-hander Carlos Torres. Alberto Callaspo pinch-hit for Guerrero and drew a walk on four pitches.

Puig added a sacrifice fly and the Dodgers carried a 3-0 lead to the bottom of the ninth. Kershaw retired the side to extend his scoreless streak to 29 innings and improve to 6-0 over nine career starts against the Mets. Additionally, the complete-game shutout is the 11th of his career.

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