Dodgers Veteran Left-Hander Dominates as He Nears 3,000 Strikeouts in Series Sweep Over Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers came into Thursday’s game against the Colorado Rockies looking to complete a three-game sweep. In Tuesday’s game, they nearly blew a five-run lead but escaped with a win, then the team bounced back in Wednesday’s game, dominating the Rockies 8-1. Clayton Kershaw took the mound in today’s matchup, as he entered the game just eight strikeouts away from reaching the 3,000 strikeout mark, a very rare feat for a pitcher. Colorado would roll out left-hander Austin Gomber, who entered today’s matchup with a career record of 0-4 with an ERA of 5.89 and 28 strikeouts in nine appearances versus the Dodgers in his career.

Following two quiet innings from the Dodgers’ offense to kick off the day, the Rockies jumped out in front first for the second time in the series. Brenton Doyle drove a ball over the left-field wall for his sixth home run of the year. One interesting fact about this is that the Dodgers were in a hole first yet again. This was the 23rd time in the month of June, Los Angeles has had to play from behind, compared to just five times they have gone on the scoreboard first.

Falling behind for the Dodgers wouldn’t be much of a struggle in this one. It took the Dodgers just four batters to tie the ball game up. Miguel Rojas and Shohei Ohtani were able to reach base, and following a wild pitch, both runners were in scoring position for Mookie Betts. In a month of relative struggle for Betts, he delivered in this at-bat, knocking in an RBI single to officially tie up the ball game. It looked like another rally of an inning for Los Angeles, but Will Smith grounded into a double play, ending a potential big inning.

It was a pitcher’s duel until the top of the sixth inning, when the Dodgers took their first lead of the game. Gomber finished his day after the fifth inning, having his most successful statistical start against the Dodgers, going five innings, allowing four hits, one run, and striking out just one Dodger. Once Colorado went to their bullpen, Los Angeles took full advantage of the opportunity as the first two reached base, giving Freddie Freeman an RBI opportunity, and that he did, driving in Betts to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. That’s all the Dodgers were able to do, as it was a bit of a struggle with runners in scoring position for the team in this one.  

Kershaw pitched his final inning in the bottom half of the sixth; although he could not get number 3,000 in strikeouts, he still had a very efficient day. He pitched six innings, allowing just one run and two hits while striking out five. Kershaw is now just three strikeouts away from that glorious number 3,000. Holding onto their minuscule lead, Los Angeles needed insurance runs, and they indeed got that from no one else but Ohtani, as he launched his 28th home run of the year to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. It was now up to the bullpen to nail the final coffin and complete the sweep.

Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech, who has yet to allow an earned run this season, and Tanner Scott pitched clean innings to secure the sweep. The Dodgers quickly shift their focus to the Kansas City Royals, which will be a very interesting matchup for Los Angeles. The Royals, one of the up-and-coming teams in Major League Baseball, have struggled in June, going 7-15 and are currently on a five-game losing streak entering the series. Dustin May will start in the opener, while the Royals will throw out Noah Cameron.