Spring Training Recap: Kershaw Goes Six, Offense Stays Hot In Win
With about a week and a half until Opening Day, Clayton Kershaw made his second-to-last (and longest) Spring Training start as the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers and White Sox share the facilities at Camelback Ranch, so the Dodgers were the visiting team Thursday afternoon. Kershaw was opposed by former Dodger, right-hander Brad Penny.
After striking out Jimmy Rollins and getting Yasiel Puig to fly out to begin the game, Penny gave up two-out singles to Adrian Gonzalez and Yasmani Grandal. He then got Howie Kendrick to ground out ending the inning.
Kershaw struck out the side in the bottom of the first, but not before issuing a walk, giving up a single and an RBI double down the left field line by Adam LaRoche, giving the White Sox a 1-0 lead at the end of one.
The Dodgers answered quickly though, as Carl Crawford walked to begin the inning followed by back-to-back singles by Juan Uribe and Andre Ethier, scoring Crawford. After an RBI groundout by Rollins, Puig launched a 2-run homer to left-center. Kershaw then retired the White Sox in order and the Dodgers led 4-1 after two.
Kershaw gave up a two-out single to Jose Abreu in the third, but nothing else. The Dodgers were then able to extend their lead in the top of the fourth when Ethier walked to begin the inning, then with one out Rollins doubled to right-center scoring Ethier. Gonzalez followed with an RBI single of his own giving the Dodgers a 6-1 lead. Kershaw put up another zero in the bottom half.
Crawford led off the fifth with a single and stole second, but the Dodgers were unable to advance him any further. Kershaw continued his dominance in the bottom of the fifth, as he retired the side in order for the third time, getting two ground balls and striking out one.
CONTINUE READING: How long would Kershaw go?
