Daily Clips

June 3, 2017

LOSANGELESDODGERSDAILYCLIPSSATURDAY,JUNE3,2017

DODGERS.COM:Wood,BellingertakehomeNL'sMayhonors-JoeTazzaWoodtomiss2ndstart;Liberatoreoutweeks–KenGurnickWatchClaytonKershawgetJesusAguilartoswingatacurveballbouncedwellinfrontoftheplate-MichaelClairWonderwhiff-men:Dodgers,Crewfan42–AdamMcCalvyandKenGurnick2K-ershaw:Acereachesmilestone-KenGurnickBellinger'shomergivesDodgerswinin12th-AdamMcCalvyandKenGurnickLATIMES:DodgerspitcherAlexWoodlikelytoreturnnextweekagainsttheReds-AndyMcCulloughClaytonKershawgetshis2,000thstrikeout,buttheDodgersneedextrastobeattheBrewers2-1-AndyMcCulloughOCREGISTER:Dodgers’ClaytonKershawsettoreachstrikeoutmilestoneFriday-BillPlunkettESPN:Bellingerhomers,KsruleinDodgers2-1winoverBrewers-AssociatdPressClaytonKershaw'shistoricnightswampedinafloodofstrikeouts-BradfordDoolittleTRUEBLUELA:AlexWoodandCodyBellingerwinNationalLeaguemonthlyawardsforMay-DavidYoungClaytonKershawis5th-youngesttoreach2,000strikeouts-EricStephenDodgersobtainleft-handedpitcherJasonWheelerfromTwinsforcashconsiderations-CraigMinamiTwo-runhomerbyQuakesIbandelIsabelcompletescomeback9-8win-CraigMinamiCodyBellingercapsbigdaywithhomeruntobeatBrewers2-1in12th-CraigMinamiDODGERSINSIDER:Kershawsurpasses2,000strikeouts,DodgerssetNLrecordforKsinagameDODGERSPHOTOGBLOG:6/2/17-SomethingSpecial-ShawnGreen’sFourHomeRunGamevstheMilwaukeeBrewers-May23,2002atMillerPark…byJonSooHoo/©LosAngelesDodgers,LLC2002-JonSooHooYAHOOSPORTS:ClaytonKershawpasses2,000careerstrikeoutsandhe'snowhereneardone-MarkTownsendUSATODAYSPORTS:ClaytonKershawbecomesthird-fastestpitchertoreach2,000careerstrikeouts-USATODAYSports

LOSANGELESDODGERSDAILYCLIPS

SATURDAY,JUNE3,2017

DODGERS.COM

Wood,BellingertakehomeNL'sMayhonorsByJoeTazzaHeadingintothisseason,onethingyoucouldguaranteeabouttheLosAngelesDodgerswastheywouldhavestars.Yetheadingintothethirdmonth,it'stwoplayerswhoweren'tattheforefrontonOpeningDaywhoareearninghardware.FewplayersmademoreofanimpactontheDodgers'19-9monththanstarterAlexWoodandoutfielderCodyBellinger.Actually,fewplayersmademoreofanimpactinalltheNationalLeague--afactthatearnedWoodandBellingertheleaguePitcheroftheMonthandRookieoftheMonthhonorsonFriday.Assignedtolongreliefattheseason'soutset,Woodspranghimselffromthatroleindramaticfashion,winningfiveofhisfirstsevenstartsbeforelandingonthedisabledlistMonday.Woodwent5-0witha1.27ERAinMay,strikingout41hittersin281/3innings.

Bellingerburstontothesceneasa21-year-oldrookieatthebeginningofthemonth.Byitsend,he'dearnedhispositionastheclearNLRookieoftheYearAwardfavorite.Bellingerhitninehomerunslastmonth,severalofthemindramaticlate-inningfashion,whiledrivingin27runsin28games.BellingerleadsallNLrookiesinruns(25),homers,RBIs(29),SLG(.565)andOPS(.887).WoodisthefirstDodgerspitchernotnamedClaytonKershawtowinNLPitcheroftheMonthsinceZackGreinkeinAugust2013.BellingeristhefirstDodgersrookietowinRookieoftheMonthsinceCoreySeagerinJune2016.

Woodtomiss2ndstart;LiberatoreoutweeksByKenGurnickMILWAUKEE--Left-handerAlexWoodwillmissasecondstartandsouthpawrelieverAdamLiberatorewillmissseveralweeks,butDodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaidresultsoftheirphysicalexamsshowednothingmoreseriousthanoriginallydiagnosed.Wood--rewardedfor251/3consecutivescorelessinningsbybeingnamedtheNationalLeaguePitcheroftheMonthforMayonFriday--wasplacedonthe10-daydisabledlistonMay27withleftSCjointinflammationnearthesternum.Atthetime,thecluboriginallyannouncedhewouldmissonestart.LiberatorewentontheDLonWednesdaywithleftforearmtightness.

"Alex…itcamebackasbenignaspossible,"Robertssaid."We'retryingtofigureoutwhentopencilhimin,butessentiallyitwillbetwomissedstarts.He'llstartthrowinginthenextdayortwo."Wood'sextendedabsenceapparentlymeansHyun-JinRyuwillgetatleastonemorestart.RyuallowedonerunonthreehitsinsixinningsagainsttheCardinalswhilefillinginforWoodonWednesdaynight.WoodislikelytoreturnfortheRedsseries--June9-11--andwillnotneedarehabassignment.Liberatore,whojustreturnedfromtwoweeksoutbecauseofaleftgroinstrain,willprobablyrequirearehabassignment."Lib'sscanscamebacknegative,sothere'sjustinflammationinthere,"Robertssaid."We'llresthim,butthere'snonervedamage.He'sinagoodplace.Acoupleweeksoff,andhe'llbefine."Worthnoting•ThirdbasemanJustinTurnerranthebasesFridayandwasafullparticipantinpregamebattingpractice,butRobertssaidnodatehasbeensetforhisrehabstintasheworkshiswaybackfromarighthamstringstrain.•TheDodgersacquiredleft-handedpitcherJasonWheelerforcashconsiderationsfromtheTwinsafterFridaynight's2-1winovertheBrewersandoptionedhimtoTriple-AOklahomaCity.Tomakeroomontheroster,RobSegedinwasmovedfromthe10-daydisabledlisttothe60-dayDL.Segedinunderwentsurgeryonhisrightwristlastweek.The26-year-oldWheelerwasdesignatedforassignmentbytheTwinsonThursdayaftermakingtwoMajorLeagueappearances.WatchClaytonKershawgetJesusAguilartoswingatacurveballbouncedwellinfrontoftheplateByMichaelClairEnteringFridaynight's2-1winagainsttheBrewers,batterswerehittingjust.206/.262/.304againstClaytonKershawinhiscareer.Youroddscouldn'tbemuchworseifyoujustdecidedtocloseyoureyes,swingandhopeforthebest.JesusAguilarmayhaveputthattothetest.Ona1-2countinthebottomofthefourthinning,KershawunloadedthevauntedcurveballthatVinScullyoncecalled"PublicEnemyNo.1."Despitebouncingfarinfrontoftheplate,Aguilarcouldn'thelpbutswingatapitchthatwasjourneyingtothecenteroftheearth:Itwasoneofthreestrikeouts(andfourinthegame)AguilarhadagainstKershaw,butheshouldn'tfeelbad.Afterall,theDodgersacestruckout14Brewers,becomingtheyoungestplayertoeverrecord2,000strikeoutsinacareerwhenheK'dJonathanVillarinthesecondinning:

Aguilarwasn'ttheonlyBrewertogodownonstrikes,though.TheBrewersstruckoutawhopping26timesinthe12-inninggame.Thattiedtherecordforthemoststrikeoutsbyateaminasinglegame.Onlydifference:theothergameswerealotlonger.Thoughstrikeoutsareuparoundtheleague,maybethat'ssimplywhathappenswhengoingupagainstapitcherlikeKershaw.Wonderwhiff-men:Dodgers,Crewfan42ByAdamMcCalvyandKenGurnickMILWAUKEE--"Strikeoutswerealittlecontagioustoday,"saidClaytonKershawafterafull-blownoutbreakofstrikeoutfeveratMillerPark.Ina12-inning,2-1DodgerswinovertheBrewersonFriday,MilwaukeematchedtheMajorLeaguerecordbystrikingout26times,theteamssetaNationalLeaguerecordforcombinedstrikeoutsinagameat42,Kershawreachedthe2,000-strikeoutplateauandDodgerscloserKenleyJansensetanall-timemarkforstrikeoutswithoutawalktostartaseason.CouldsomeonespareanicepackforBenMay?Hewasthehome-plateumpireringingupallthosehitters."Theswingsandmisseswereamazing,"saidKershaw,whosetaseasonhighwith14strikeoutsinseveninningsbeforeDodgersrelieversPedroBaez,GrantDaytonandJansenwhiffed12moreoverthefinalfiveframes."Ourbullpenisprettyspecial.Theythrowthathighfastballreallywell,andguysdon'tknowifit'sastrikeornotandfeelliketheyhavetoswing.Makesitreally,reallyhard.""Thetopofthestrikezonewasliberaltonight,"BrewersmanagerCraigCounsellsaid."Itwasdefinitelyinplay.Theirrelievers,that'skindofwhatthey'regoodat.Ithoughttheygotawholebunchofearlystrikesthere.Theymadesomegoodpitcheslateandkeptclimbingtheladder."TheBrewers'matchedanall-timemarktheyalreadysharedwiththe1971AngelsandtheCubsofjustlastmonth.InJune2004,Milwaukeestruckout26timesina17-inning,1-0wininAnaheim.CounsellstruckouttwicethatnightbeforescoringthewinningrunonScottPodsednik'sdouble."It'stoomany.You'regoingtohaveahardtimewinningagamestrikingoutthatmanytimes,butitwasaverywell-pitchedgame,"Counsellsaid."Bothsidespitchedoutstanding.Ithinkthat'swhathappensintheageofexecutedpitching,andthat'swhatitwas."

Sincethe'04Brewersand'17Cubseachstruckout26timesinInterleaguePlay,theDodgerssetanewNLrecordforpitchingstrikeouts.Theteamsstruckout42timesinall,twomorethanthepreviousNLrecordsetbytheGiantsandPadresin2001.

"Idon'tthinkanyoneinhereishappyaboutthat,"saidBrewerscenterfielderKeonBroxton."Weallgointheretryingtoputballsinplayandit[stinks]tolosethatway,withsomanystrikeoutsandsaying,'Well,wegaveawayalotofopportunitiesthatwecouldhavecapitalizedon.'Butit'sbaseball,man.It'sacrazygame,ahardgame,andallwecandoisdoourbestandcomebacktomorrowanddobetter."

Alongtheway,twoDodgerspitchersmadeindividualhistory.Inthesecondinning,KershawstruckoutJonathanVillarforNo.4inthegameandNo.2,000inKershaw'scareer.OnlyPedroMartinez(1,7151/3innings)andRandyJohnson(1,734)reachedthatplateauinfewerinningsthanKershaw's1,836.Eightinningslater,JansenstruckoutHernanPerezinthe10thforhis36thstrikeoutwithoutasinglewalk,anewMLBrecordtostartaseason.Bytheendofthenight,Jansen'srecordwasupto39strikeoutsversusnowalks.Dodgershitterswerenotimmunefromstrikeoutfever.BrewersstarterJimmyNelsonmatchedhiscareerhighwith11strikeoutsineightscorelessinningsandbecamethefirstpitcherinfranchisehistorywithback-to-backdouble-digitstrikeoutperformanceswithnowalks.AccordingtoBaseball-Reference.comdata,onlytwopitchershavestruckout10ormorewithoutawalkinthreestraightstarts:theRays'ChrisArcherin2015,andKershaw--twice.NelsonstruckoutYasmaniGrandalandCodyBellingerthreetimesapiecebeforeGrandalhitasolohomeroffBrewerscloserCoreyKnebelintheninthtoforceextrainnings,andBellingerwonthegamewithanothersoloshotoffNeftaliFelizinthe10th."It'satoughgame.Thetoughestthingtodoishitabaseball,"DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaid."It'sagameoffailure.Andtopunchoutthreetimeseachasthoseguysdid,tostillunderstandthatnextat-batcouldbethedifferenceinthegame[ishuge],andtonightitwas."2K-ershaw:AcereachesmilestoneByKenGurnickMILWAUKEE-ClaytonKershawrecordedhis2,000thstrikeoutFridaynight,anditonlyseemedliketheyallcameintheDodgers'2-1winin12inningsovertheBrewers."Strikeoutswerealittlecontagioustoday,"Kershawsaid."Theswingsandmisseswereamazing."Whatturnedintoarecord-settingstrikeout-festbeganpredictablyenough,withKershawrecordinghisfourthstrikeoutofthenighttobringhiscareertotalto2,000.Hediditin1,836innings,becomingthethirdfastestevertoreachthemarkbyinnings,behindPedroMartinez(1,7151/3)andRandyJohnson(1,734).NolanRyanisfourth(1,874).Kershawwouldgoontostrikeout14--oneshyofhissingle-gamebest--overseveninnings,buthegotano-decisioninanunexpectedlights-outduelagainstMilwaukee'sJimmyNelson.Kershawallowedonlytwohits,butDomingoSantanacrushedoneofthem(Statcast™projectedittraveled443feet)forahomerunafterKershawhadretired20consecutivebatters.

"[Nelson]pitchedbetterthanIdid,anditcamedowntothatonepitch,andmostofthetimeonepitchwon'tbeatyou,buttonightitdid,"Kershawsaid.WithKershawcheerleading,CodyBellingerhomeredinthe12thinningtogivetheDodgerstheirfirstleadofthegame,andcloserKenleyJansenpickeduptheunusualtwo-inningvictoryinrelief."Youcan'tsayenoughaboutKenleybeingwillingtogooutinanon-savesituationandtogoasecondinning.It'satestamenttohimandhowimportantheistoourteam."TheDodgersnotonlyarerewritingthebookonstartingrotationmanipulation.Theirbullpenisathrowbacktodaysofmultiple-inningrelievers.Inthisone,PedroBaezfollowedKershawwithfivestrikeoutsintwoinnings,GrantDaytonstruckoutthesideinhisinningandJansenfannedfourinhistwoframes.DodgersmanagerDaveRobertsravedaboutKershaw,whosetthetonewithhisimpressiveouting."Hewasunbelievable,"Robertssaid."Idon'tknowwhatelsetosay.Hehadcommandofeverythinghegotmovingtowardhomeplate.Wenttothecurveearly,thearm-sidefastballandthatwaswideopen.Thesliderwasgood,the14punch-outsinseveninnings.Itwasajoytowatch."Kershawreachedthe2,000strikeoutsinhis277thcareergameand275thstart,trailingonlyJohnson,whomadeitinhis262ndgame.CatcherYasmaniGrandalflippedtheballintotheDodgersdugouttosaveforKershaw,whohaditinaplasticbaginhislocker."It'llbecoolsomeday,"hesaid."Iguesswhenyouretireyoulookbackonthatstuff.Idon'ttakeitforgrantedbyalsodon'tthinkaboutit."Hiswife,EllenKershaw@ellenkershaw,offeredthistweet.Bellinger'shomergivesDodgerswinin12thByAdamMcCalvyandKenGurnickMILWAUKEE--JimmyNelsonoutdueledClaytonKershawandhadnothingtoshowforit.YasmaniGrandalforcedextrainningsFridaywithahomerunintheninth,andCodyBellingerwonitfortheDodgerswithanothersoloshotinthe12thfora2-1winovertheBrewersinastrikeoutspecialatMillerPark.TheBrewerstiedtheirownMajorLeaguerecordbystrikingout26times,astheteamscombinedtosetanewNationalLeaguemarkwith42strikeoutsinthegame.Kershawwasresponsiblefor14ofthestrikeouts,includingthe2,000thofhiscareer,makinghimthethirdfastesttothatmilestoneinMajorLeaguehistory."I'veneverseenanythinglikethat,"DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaid."Forourguystopunchout26guys,bothguys,Nelsonhasreallygoodstuff,changedhismix.Hisstuffiselectric.HematchedClaytonpitchforpitch,andasabaseballfan,itwasreallyfuntowatch."

GrandalandBellingereachstruckoutinthreeat-batsagainstNelsonbeforeconnectingagainstrelieversCoreyKnebelandNeftaliFeliz.Bellinger,justnamedtheNationalLeagueRookieoftheMonthforMay,hithis12thhomerunoftheseasonoffFelizinthe12thinning,beforeKenleyJansenstrandedthetyingrunneratthirdforasecondscorelessinning,sealingthewin.ThehomerunwasthesixthoffFelizin24inningsthisseason.HisERAafterhisfirst25gamesinaBrewersuniformis5.25."IthoughtNeftalimadedecentpitchtoBellinger.Ididnotthinkitwasabadpitch,"BrewersmanagerCraigCounsellsaid."Heexecutedapitchthatwasup.Igive[Bellinger]alotofcreditrightthere.Itwasan'up'pitch,whichiswhatwewantedtodo.Hegotontopofa95mphfastballrightthere."KershawandNelsondidtheirparttodriveupthestrikeoutcountbyengagingInoneofthemostcompellingpitchingbattlesin17seasonsatthehitters'haventhatisMillerPark.Thestarterscombinedfor25strikeoutsandcarriedduelingshutoutsintotheseventh,onlytosettleforno-decisions.Kershawfellintoa1-0holewhenDomingoSantanahitaboominghomerunintheseventh,andNelsonwasdeniedvictorywhenGrandalhomeredwithoneoutintheninth.Kershawsetaseasonhighwiththose14strikeoutsandallowedtwohitsinseveninnings.Nelsonwasevenbetter,matchinghiscareerhighwith11strikeoutswithoutawalkandscatteringfivehitsovereightscorelessinnings.KnebelwasofftoagoodstartinhisbidtocompleteNelson'sgemwhenhestartedtheninthwithastrikeout,givingthecloseratleastonewhiffinall28ofhisappearancesthisseason.Buthefellintoa3-1countagainstGrandal,whohitaline-drivehomertorightfora1-1tie.MOMENTSTHATMATTEREDSecondtime'sthecharm:Nelsondidnotfindserioustroubleuntiltheeighth,whenYasielPuigreachedonaninfieldhitandBrettEibnerlinedasingletoleftfield.ChrisTaylorpinch-hitforKershaw--endingthelefty'soutingat103pitches--andhitthegroundballNelsonwasseeking,butBrewerssecondbasemanJonathanVillarbobbleditandcouldonlyrecordoneout.WithrunnersatthecornersforLoganForsythe,NelsoninducedanearlysimilargrounderandthistimeVillarconverted,feedingOrlandoArcia,whofinishedoffaninning-endingdoubleplaytoendNelson'snightwithaflourish."Inthatsituation,IfeltthatItrustC.T.togetthebuntdown,andifthecountwentinhisfavor,Iwasgoingtohavehimhit,"saidRoberts."Righttherehegotbehind.Typicallyyouplaymoreaggressiveforthewinontheroad,butwithourbullpen,Iwaswillingtotakeourbullpenovertheirbullpen."SaidCounsell:"Jimmydidhisjob.Hepitchedbrilliantly."Well-struck:BrewersleadoffmanKeonBroxtonhitKershaw'sveryfirstpitchforadoubleandEricThamesfollowedwithawalkbeforeKershawsetdown20battersinarowleadingtoSantana'stwo-outhomer.Santanaconnectedwithadown-the-middlefastballforthelongest--443feet,accordingtoStatcast™--andhardest-hithomerun--110.9mphoffthebat--homerunagainstKershawintheStatcast™era.

"Ialwaysdreamedabouthittingaballlikethatoffofoneofthebestpitchersinthegame,soitwasreallygreatforme,"Santanasaid."Itwould'vebeenbetterifwehadwon,butobviously,itmademefeelgood."QUOTABLE"Ithinkthat'swhathappensintheageofexecutedpitching,andthat'swhatitwas.Theyhitonemorehomerunthatus."--Counsell,onmatchingthestrikeoutrecord"Ourbullpenisprettyspecial.Theythrowthathighfastballreallywellandguysdon'tknowifit'sastrikeornotandfeelliketheyhavetoswing,makesitreally,reallyhard."--Kershaw,ontheDodgers'bullpenSOUNDSMARTWITHYOURFRIENDSNelson,whostruckout10D-backsinhispreviousstart,becamethefirstpitcherinBrewershistorytologconsecutivedouble-digitstrikeoutgameswithoutasinglewalk.That'snotable,consideringNelsonissuedthemostwalksintheMajors(86)lastseason.SAVETHATBASEBALLKershawstruckout11of14Brewersbattersinastretchfromthefirstinningintothefifth,butoneofthosestrikeoutswasspecial.WhenVillarwentdownswingingforthesecondoutofthesecondinning,itgaveKershaw2,000forhiscareer,andcatcherGrandalflippedthemilestonebaseballtowardtheDodgersdugout.OnlyPedroMartinez(1,7151/3innings)andRandyJohnson(1,734)aretheonlypitchersinhistorytoreachthatplateauinfewerinningsthanKershaw's1,836.UPONFURTHERREVIEWAfterGrandal'shomermadeitanewballgame,theBrewerstriedtostealanoutintheninthbycallingforareviewofpinch-runnerEnriqueHernandez'sslidebackintosecondbaseonapickoffattempt.AfterCounsell'schallengewasdenied,theDodgerswentontoloadthebaseswithtwooutsforEibner,whostruckout.Inthebottomofthe11th,theDodgerschallengedahit-by-pitchcallwithJesusAguilaratbat,butthecallstood.Theninthebottomofthe12th,theDodgersaskedforareceivedacrewchiefreviewonasafecallatsecondbaseonVillar'sdouble.Likeaninningbefore,thecallstood.WHAT'SNEXTDodgers:StarterRichHillsaidhepreferstobeonafive-dayroutineandwillcontinuetodosowhenhetakesthemoundat1:10p.m.PTSaturday.InhislaststartagainsttheCardinalsonMay29,theleftyearnedhissecondwinoftheseason,allowingoneearnedrunontwohitsoverfiveinnings.

Brewers:MattGarzalookstobouncebackat3:10p.m.CTSaturday,aftersufferinghisfirsttwolossesoftheseasoninhislasttwostarts.GarzasawhisERArisetojustunderfourinhislasttwostarts,givingup10earnedrunsoverthetwooutings.

LATIMES

DodgerspitcherAlexWoodlikelytoreturnnextweekagainsttheRedsByAndyMcCulloughTheDodgersreceivedtwopiecesofencouragingnewsaboutpitcherAlexWoodonFriday.Oneconcernedhishealth.Theotherrewardedhimforhisperformance.InanexaminationbackinLosAngeles,teamdoctorsdeterminedthattheinflammationinWood’sSCjoint,whichconnectsthesternumtotheclavicle,wasas“benignaspossible,”managerDaveRobertssaidbeforehisteamfacedtheMilwaukeeBrewersatMillerPark.TheteamexpectsWoodtorejointherotationbynextweekendagainsttheCincinnatiReds.Andtheteamwillwelcomehimback,becausehehasbeenoneoftheirbestpitchers.WoodwasnamedtheNationalLeaguepitcherofthemonthforMay.Hewonallfiveofhisstartsandposteda1.27earned-runaverage.Hestruckout41battersin281/3innings.Hehasnotgivenuparunin251/3innings.CodyBellingeralsowonrookieofthemonthhonors.WhenMaybegan,Bellingerappearedclosetoademotion,asplayersreturnedfromthedisabledlist.Hisperformancealteredtheinitialplan.Bellingerhitninehomerunsanddrovein27runswithan.880on-base-plus-sluggingpercentageinMay.“Forhimtomakeanimpactsoearlyforus,helpuswinalotofbaseballgames,saysalotabouttakingadvantageofanopportunity,”Robertssaid.ShorthopsDodgersrelieverAdamLiberatorewasalsoexaminedinLosAngeles,wheredoctorsdiagnosedonlyinflammationinhisforearm,withoutanystructuralconcernforhiselbow.“Therewasnonervedamage,noligamentdamage,”Robertssaid.“He’sinagoodplace.Justacoupleweeksoff,andit’llbefine.”...JustinTurner(hamstringstrain)ranthebasesbeforeFriday’sgame,butRobertsindicatedTurnerisstillmovingatonly85%.Heisnotexpectedtobeactivateduntilafternextweek’sserieswiththeWashingtonNationals.Theteamhasnotdeterminedwhenhewillbeginarehabilitationassignment.“Ijustwanttomakesurehe’smovingat100%beforehegoesout,”Robertssaid....TheDodgersacquiredpitcherJasonWheelerfromtheTwinsforcashconsiderations.Tomakeroomonthe40-manroster,theteamtransferredRobSegedintothe60-dayDL.

ClaytonKershawgetshis2,000thstrikeout,buttheDodgersneedextrastobeattheBrewers2-1ByAndyMcCulloughThemementorestedinsideaZiplocbaginClaytonKershaw’slocker.Inkscrawledacrosstheplasticdenotedthemilestone,the2,000thstrikeoutofKershaw’scareer,akeepsakefroma2-1DodgersvictoryovertheBrewers.Drainedafterloggingseveninningsinagamethatlasted12,Kershawstruggledtofindtheperspectiveforhisachievement.“Idon’ttakeitforgranted,”Kershawsaid.“ButIalsodon’tthinkaboutit.Idon’tknowhowtoquantifyit,Iguess.It’llbecoolsomeday.”Hismilestoneunderscoredthethemeoftheevening,anightofwatchinghittersflailandpitchersmissbats.LedbyKershaw’sseason-high14strikeouts,theDodgerstiedamajorleaguerecordforonegamewith26.KenleyJansensetamajorleaguerecordforstrikingout39batterstostartaseasonwithoutallowingawalk.AndthetwoteamscombinedtotieaNationalLeaguerecordwith42strikeouts.Ifyouenjoyfailure,thiswasthegameforyou.ButitlookedlikeanightofbitternessfortheDodgers(34-22)beforeYasmaniGrandalintervenedintheninth.AsoloshotbyGrandaltookKershawoffthehookforgivingupahomertoDomingoSantanatwoinningsearlier.CodyBellingerrecoveredfromathree-punchoutnighttosupplythewinnerinthe12thoffBrewersrelieverNeftaliFeliz.Afterthegame,Bellingerreceivedamessagefromhisfather.ClayBellingerhit12homersinpartsoffourseasonsinthemajors.Hissonhasmatchedhistotalin36games.“Hejustsaid‘Congrats,ittookmealotlonger,’”Bellingersaid.InsidethevisitorsclubhouseatMillerPark,thesmilesweretingedwithexhaustion.Thegamelastedthreeminutesshyoffourhours.Jansenloggedtwoinnings,hagglingwithmanagerDaveRobertsaboutreturningforthe12thafterBellingerwentdeep.RobertscreditedJansenforhisunselfishness,caringlessaboutsavesandmoreaboutkeepingtheteamupright.ThecombinationofthebullpenandthelatehomersreducedsomeofKershaw’sfrustrationforhowhisnightended.SaveforonepitchtoBrewersoutfielderSantana,hisoutingwaspristine.Herecordedhis2,000thstrikeoutinthesecondinning.A94-mphfastballsoaredupandawayfromBrewerssecondbasemanJonathanVillar.ThelocationdidnotdeterVillar,whohackedandtouchedonlytheair.Grandalgavethebaseballtoaballboy,whohandedittoanauthenticator.Kershawdidnotcelebratetheachievement.Hegrabbedanotherballandreturnedtowork.Formuchofthenight,heoperatedlikeamaninahurrytoreach3,000strikeouts.“Itwasajoytowatch,”Robertssaid.Only79pitchersinthesport’shistoryhaveaccumulated2,000strikeoutsormore.Kershawreachedthemarkinthethird-fastesttime,aspanof1,8372/3innings.OnlyPedroMartinez(1,7151/3innings)andRandyJohnson(1,734)gottherefaster.Kershaw’steammatesstilltreathimwithawe.

“I’mgladtobeapartofaHallofFamecareer,”Jansensaid.“I’mproudtoseethebestinthegame,probablythegreatestinthegame,rightnow.Thatwasamazing.”Theeveningstartedwithstress.Onhisfirstpitchofthegame,a93-mphfastball,KershawwhippedhisheadaroundtowatchadoublebyBrewersoutfielderKeonBroxton.Kershawwalkedthenextbatter,formerKoreanBaseballOrganizationstarEricThames,onaquestionablefull-countfastball.ThenKershawfellbehindinthecounttofirstbasemanJesusAguilar.ApairofslidersfooledAguilarforacrucialstrikeout.Afterafirst-pitchpopup,KershawfannedSantanawithacurveballtostrandbothrunners.Fromthere,helockedintoagroove.“Hewasunbelievable,”Robertssaid.“Idon’tknowwhatelsetosay.Hewaslightsout.Hehadcommandofeverything.”Toopenthesecond,Kershawspottedan0-2fastballontheouteredgeagainstcatcherMannyPina.Hereached2,000inthenextat-bat.Inthethird,hestruckoutthesidein12pitches.Thedistancefromtheplatetothemoundspans60feetandsixinches.WhenAguilarreturnedtobatinthefourth,Kershawspikedacurveballthatbouncedafteronlyabout55feet.Aguilarcouldnotcheckhisswing.ThestrikeoutpaddedKershaw’sresumeshouldheevertransitiontocricket.Kershawrackedupfourmorestrikeouts,alllooking,inthefourth,fifthandsixth.Hehadretired20battersinarowwhenSantanacameupintheseventh.Kershawtrieda1-0fastball.ThepitchwassupposedtocuffSantanaonthehands.Itleakedafewinchesawayfromitstarget.Santanascorchedadriveoverthefenceinleft.Uponimpact,Kershawcoveredhisheadwithhishandsandcrumpledintoacrouch.Hisfurywaspalpable.Itwouldtakeafewinnings,buthisteammatespickedhimup.WhenKershawreturnedtohislocker,thebaseballfromthe2,000thstrikeoutawaitedhim.Heunderstooditsimportance,ifhepreferrednottodwellonit.“Definitelycool,”Kershawsaid.“I’lltrytonotforgetitandleaveitinMilwaukee.”Dodgers’ClaytonKershawsettoreachstrikeoutmilestoneFridayByBillPlunkettClaytonKershawisagoodbettodotwothingsFridayinMilwaukee–bouncebackfromapoorstartandmakealittlebitofhistory.TheDodgersaceallowedfourrunsinjust41/3inningsinhismostrecentstartSundayagainsttheChicagoCubs.Hehasnotallowedmorethantwoearnedrunsinconsecutiveregular-seasonstartssincehislaststartbeforegoingonthedisabledlistwithabackinjurylastyear(inJune)andhisfirststartafterreturning(inSeptember).

AndKershawneedstostrikeoutonlyfourBrewerstoreach2,000careerstrikeoutsinfewerinningsthanallbuttwopreviouspitchers–bothHallofFamers.RandyJohnsonreached2,000strikeoutsinonly1,734innings.PedroMartinezgottherein1,7151/3innings.KershawentersFriday’sgamehavingthrown1,836innings.Theall-timestrikeoutleader,NolanRyan,recordedthe2,000thofhiseventual5,714careerstrikeoutsinhis1,874thinning(currentlythethird-fastest).Byanothermeasure,Kershawwillreach2,000careerstrikeoutsfasterthanallbutonepitcher.Johnsongotthereinhis262ndgame.ThiswillbeKershaw’s277thcareergame.KershawhasstruckoutatleastfourbattersineverystartsinceMay17,2014,astretchof88starts.WashingtonNationalsright-handerMaxScherzerisonpacetojointhisgroup.Scherzerhas1,981strikeoutsin17732/3innings.

ESPN

Bellingerhomers,KsruleinDodgers2-1winoverBrewersByAssociatdPressMILWAUKEE--CodyBellingerhadthebiggesthitinagamethatwillberememberedmoreforsomanyswingsandmisses.Therookiehomeredinthe12thinningoffMilwaukeeBrewersrelieverNeftaliFeliz,salvaginga2-1winFridayfortheLosAngelesDodgersonanightwhenaceleft-handerClaytonKershawrecordedhis2,000thstrikeout.Itwasjustthestartofanightfullofwhiffs,especiallyfortheBrewers.LosAngelespitchinghadafranchise-record26strikeouts,handingtheBrewersthedubiousdistinctionoftyingthemajorleaguemarkformostwhiffsinagame.Bothteamscombinedfor42strikeouts,aNationalLeaguerecord."Strikeoutswerealittlebitcontagioustoday.Sometimesyoujustkindofgetonthatroll,"Kershawsaid.KenleyJansen(3-0)pitchedtwoscorelessinningsforthewin,strandingthepotentialtyingrunatthirdwithoneoutinthespeedyJonathanVillarbystrikingoutOrlandoArcialookingandgettingTravisShawtopopouttoshort.Jansenearnedamilestonetoo.HisstrikeoutofHernanPerezinthe11thwashis36thoftheseasonwithouthavingallowedawalkallyear,settingamajorleaguemark.ButBellingerhadthebiggesthitafterlininga1-2fastballfromFeliz(1-5)intotheright-fieldbleacherstobreakthe1-1tie.YasmaniGrandalhadtiedthegamewithoneoutintheninthbylininga3-1fastballfromcloserCoreyKnebeloverthewallinright-center.

Lostinthelate-inningpowersurgewastheduelbetweenstartingpitchersKershawandJimmyNelson.DomingoSantanahadtheonlyrunoffKershaw,hittinga1-0fastballdownthemiddleoftheplatedeeptoleft-centerintheseventhtoendastretchof20inarowretiredbythelefty.ItwasararemistakeinagameinwhichKershawfannedaseason-high14,oneoffhiscareerhigh."You'regoingtohaveahardtimewinningagamestrikingoutthatmanytimesbutitwasaverywell-pitchedgame,"BrewersmanagerCraigCounsellsaid."Bothsidespitchedoutstanding....Theyhitonemorehomerunthatus."NelsonwasjustaseffectivefortheBrewers,tyingacareerhighwith11strikeoutsandallowingfivehitsovereightstronginnings."Hisstuffiselectric,"DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaid."Inthezone,there'slifeinthezone.HereallymatchedClaytonpitch-by-pitch.Asabaseballfan,itwasreallyfuntowatch."KERSHAWCOUNTERKershawrecordedhis2,000thstrikeoutin1,8372/3careerinnings.TheDodgerssaidhewasthethird-fastestpitcherinmajorleaguehistorytoreachthemilestone.PedroMartinezreachedtheplateauin1,7151/3innings,andRandyJohnsonwasnextat1,734innings.""Itwillbecoolsomeday,Iguesswhenyouretireyoulookbackatthatstuff,"Kershawsaidaboutthemilestone.NICENELSONNelsonhasn'tallowedawalkinhislast18innings.Theright-handerbecamethefirstplayerinfranchisehistorytohaveconsecutivestartswith10ormorestrikeoutswithoutissuingawalk."He'sabletothrowoff-speedearlyinthecount,"Counsellsaid."He'sgotthreepitchesavailabletohimandhe'susingthemverywellreallyatalltimesinanycount."WHEELERDEALERTheDodgersacquiredLHPJasonWheelerfromtheMinnesotaTwinsforcashconsiderationsandoptionedhimtoTriple-AOklahomaCity.Wheeler,26,sawhisfirstmajorleagueactionthisyearwithMinnesota,allowingfiveruns--threeearned--inthreeinningsintworeliefappearances.TRAINER'SROOMDodgers:RobertssaidthatLHPAlexWood(shoulder)couldstartthrowingbytheendoftheweekend,andthattestsonWood'sACjointcamebacknegative.WoodmightreturnfortheDodgers'seriesnextweekendathomeagainsttheReds,Robertssaid....TestsonLHPAdamLiberatore(forearm)revealednonerveorligamentdamage,andRobertssaidtherelieverwouldprobablybesidelinedacoupleweeksaftergoingonthe10-dayDLonWednesday.

UPNEXTLHPRichHill(2-2)takesthehillfortheDodgersinthesecondgameofthethree-gamesetinMilwaukee.Hillis2-1witha3.86ERAinsixcareergamesagainsttheBrewers,includingfivestarts.RHPMattGarza(2-2)goesfortheBrewers.Heis0-1witha2.25ERAintwocareerstartsagainsttheDodgers.ClaytonKershaw'shistoricnightswampedinafloodofstrikeoutsByBradfordDoolittleMILWAUKEE--Somewhereinafloodofstrikeoutswasahistoricnightbythegame’sbestpitcher,ClaytonKershaw.Therewasago-aheadhomerinextrainningsbytheNationalLeague’stoprookie,CodyBellinger.Thefinalscore--LosAngelesDodgers2,MilwaukeeBrewers1in12innings--suggestsatersenail-bitersbetweencontendingclubs,whichitwas.Buttherewasthatflood,onewhiffafteranother,almostfasterthanyoucouldwriteK'sonyourscorecard.AnddespiteallofthehistoricalfootnoteswrittenonawarmFridayinMilwaukee,thelingeringquestionissimplythis:Howmanystrikeoutsdoesonegamereallyneed?Let’sstartwithKershaw.WhenhestruckoutJonathanVillarswingingona93-mphfastballinthesecond,itgavehim2,000forhiscareerinwhatwashis277thgame.OnlyRandyJohnson(262)hasgottentherequicker.Thatwasaprettygoodstory,ifonlyitcouldbethestoryofthegame.“Strikeoutswerealittlebitcontagioustoday,”Kershawsaid.“Sometimesyoujustkindofgetonthatroll.”Kershawhadbeencuffedaroundinhispreviousouting,allowing11hitsandfourrunsin4⅓inningsagainsttheCubs.ThentostarthisoutingFriday,hegaveupadoubletoKeonBroxtonandwalkedEricThames.Butbeforeyoucouldconjuretheword“slump”intheknee-jerk-reactionportionofyourbrain,heretired20consecutiveMilwaukeehitters,12ofthemviastrikeout.Hefinishedwith14K's,oneshyofhiscareerhigh.“Hewas unbelievable,”DodgersmanagerDaveRoberts said. “I don’t knowwhat else to say.Hewaslights-out.Hehadcommandofeverythinghegotmovingtowardhomeplate.”Kershawmadeonemistake,leavingafastballuptoDomingoSantanaintheseventh,andMilwaukee’semergingsluggerrifleditoverthefenceinleft-centertogivetheBrewersa1-0lead.Yousee,itwasanold-fashioned pitchers' duel.JimmyNelson, coming off the second double-digit strikeout game of hiscareer, posted another, becoming the first Brewers pitcher to have back-to-back 10 strikeout gameswithoutwalkingabatter.HeshutouttheDodgersforeightinnings.“Hepitchedbetterthanme,”Kershawsaid.Greatstuff.Oldschool.Thenthenewschoolgotinvolved.TheDodgers'bullpenstartedastrikeoutonslaught,asitiswonttodo.WhileBrewerscloserCoreyKnebelgaveupagame-tyinghomertoYasmaniGrandalintheninth,mostlyasteadyparadeofrelievers

cameonandstruckbatterafterbatter.PedroBaezhadfiveinhistypicallymethodicalfashion.GrantDaytonstruckoutsideinthe10th.KenleyJansenaddfourmoreinhistwoframes.“Ourbullpen,can’tsayenoughaboutthoseguys,”Kershawsaid.“Five[scoreless]innings,Kenleybeingwillingtogooutthereinanon-savesituationandasecondinning,it’satestamenttohim.”CombinedwithKershaw’stotal,those12bullpenwhiffsgavetheDodgers26inthegame,tyingthebig-leaguerecord.Threeotherteamshavestruckout26,andtheyallneededatleast17inningstodoit.TheDodgers’22ndstrikeouttiedafranchiserecordsetagainstCincinnatiin1972.Milwaukeepitchersfinishedwith16strikeouts.The42combinedwhiffswereaNationalLeaguerecordandthethird-mostoverall,accordingtobaseball-reference.com.Thetwogamesthathadmorebothwentatleast18innings.Thatincludestherecord48strikeoutsinaSundayNightBaseballgameearlierthisseason,an18-inningYankeesvictoryovertheCubsatWrigleyField.“I’veneverseenanythinglikethat,”Robertssaid.“Asabaseballfan,itwasreallyfuntowatch.”Isfunreallytherightword?Let’sputthisanotherway:We’rejustbarelypastMemorialDay,andtheDodgersandBrewersjustcombinedfor42strikeoutsinonegame.Andit’snotevenamajor-leagueseasonhigh.We’veseenthistrendgrowyearafteryear.Accordingtobaseball-reference.com,enteringFridayteamswereaveraging8.23strikeoutspergame.Ofcourseit’sarecord;thiswillbethe10thconsecutiveseasonthemarkhasbeenerased.Homerunsareupagain,too,andallthreerunsscoredFridaycameviasolohomers.At1.22homerspergame,baseballisonpacetosetanall-timehigh.Meanwhile,withstrikeoutscontinuingtoclimbandhomersdoingthesameandwalksupandfly-ballratesrising,ballsinplayarewaydownandthecollectivebattingaverageisthelowestithasbeensince1972.IffeltlikethesefactorsconvergedaroundtheninthinningofFriday’sgame,whenbothteamswentforthepump,astheyusedtosay,huntingforthatonebiglongballthatBellingerfinallyfoundagainstNeftaliFeliz,theonepitcherwhodidnotstrikeoutanybody.Therewere,again,42strikeouts.Therewere,bycomparison,13basehits.Sohowmanystrikeoutsaretoomany?Here’sonepossibility:Rememberthatfigureof8.23strikeoutspergame?Teamsareaveraging8.54hitspergame.That’seasilytheclosestthosetwonumbershaveeverbeen.Lastseason,therewere.68morehitspergamethanstrikeouts.Theseasonbeforeitwas.86.Tenyearsagoitwas2.29.Thirtyyearsagoitwas3.88.We’refastreachingthepointwhentheaveragegamewillfeaturemorestrikeoutsthanhits.Whatwasitliketowatchagamewith42strikeouts?For7½innings,itwasgreat.ButasthestrikeoutscontinuedtopourintoMillerPark,thestadiumgrewquietforlongstretches.Fansbegantowanderuptheaisles.Itwashistoryinmotion,andwitheachpassinginningfewerandfewerwantedtowatchit.Bydefinition,record-settinggamesareoutliers.There’snodenyingthatFriday’swasmemorable.Butwhenarecordfeelssomuchliketheinevitableby-productofanunwantedleague-widetrend,it’sabitunsettling.ThisshouldhavebeenClaytonKershaw'snight.OrCodyBellinger's.OrJimmyNelson's.

Instead,thenightbelongedtoplateumpireBenMay.Surely,afterringingup42batters,Maywastheoneguymorethananyotherwhoneededagoodicedownafterthegame.

TRUEBLUELAAlexWoodandCodyBellingerwinNationalLeaguemonthlyawardsforMayByDavidYoungTheNationalLeaguenamedAlexWoodoftheDodgerstheirpitcherofthemonthforMayandbestowedrookieofthemonthhonorsuponCodyBellinger.Woodhasacurrent231⁄3scorelessinningsstreakandwasalsonamedTrueBlueLA’sDodgerspitcherofthemonth.WoodwasawardedthewininallfiveofhisMaystarts,postinga1.27ERAwhileallowingonly22hitsinhis281⁄3innings.Thesouthpawalsostruckout41ofthe112battershefacedforanastounding36.6%strikeoutrate.WoodisthefirstDodgersnotnamedKershawtowinthisawardsinceZackGreinkedidforAugust2013.BellingerwallopedninehomerunsinMayanddrovein27runswhilepostingabattinglineof.245/.314/.566/.880.The27RBIarethemostinamonthbyaDodgerssinceSeptember/October2007,whenJamesLoneyplated32teammates.Theleft-handedswingernowsharesthefranchiserecordforhomerunsinamonthbyarookiewithJocPedersonwhodidittwoyearsagoinMayandLoneywholoftedhislongballsinSeptember(andOctober)2007.ThelastDodgersNLrookieofthemonthwasCoreySeagerlastJune.ClaytonKershawis5th-youngesttoreach2,000strikeoutsByEricStephenDodgersaceClaytonKershawgotJonathanVillarswinginginthesecondinningonFridayatMillerParkinMilwaukee.ThatgavehimfourstrikeoutsonthenightagainsttheBrewers,andgaveKershaw2,000careerstrikeouts,thefifth-youngestplayerinmajorleaguehistorytoreachthemilestone.Kershawis29years,75daysoldonFriday.Onlyfourplayerswerefasterbyage,ledbyBertBlylevenat28years,97daysoldonJuly12,1979,whenpitchingforthePirateshefannedTerryPuhloftheAstrostoleadoffthegameinHoustonforhis2,000thstrikeout.

Kershawwasonpacetobecomethesecond-fastestbeforemissing10weekslastseasonwithaherniateddiscinhisback.With1,837⅔careerinningstodate,Kershawisthethird-quickesttoreach2,000strikeoutsbyinningspitched,trailingonlyPedroMartinez(1,711⅓innings,reached2,000strikeoutsonApril19,2002)andRandyJohnson(1,733⅓IP,Sept.27,1997).Johnson’s2,000thstrikeoutcameinhis262ndcareergame,perEliasSportsBureautheonlyonefasterbygamesthanKershaw,whoFridaynightmadehis275thcareerstartandpitchedinhis277thcareergame.ThereisanexcellentchancethatNationalsstarterMaxScherzer,32,couldreach2,000strikeoutslaterthismonthinfewerinningsthanKershaw.Scherzeratthemomenthas1,981careerstrikeoutsin1,773⅔innings.Thereare79playersinmajorleaguehistorywith2,000strikeouts.Kershawledthemajorswith301strikeoutsin2015,thefirst300-strikeoutseasoninthemajorssince2002.Theleft-handeralsoledtheNationalLeagueinstrikeoutsin2011and2013.HeenteredFridaynighteighthintheNLinstrikeoutsin2017.Kershawisthefourthpitchertostrikeout2,000hitterswiththeDodgers,joiningDonSutton(2,696),DonDrysdale(2,486)andSandyKoufax(2,396).Kershawisoneofjustninepitchersinmajorleaguehistorytoreach2,000strikeoutsbeforeturning30,alistthatincludessixHallofFamers,andnowthreeDodgers.Dodgersobtainleft-handedpitcherJasonWheelerfromTwinsforcashconsiderationsByCraigMinamiTheDodgersacquiredleft-handedpitcherJasonWheelerfromtheMinnesotaTwinsforcashconsiderations.WheelerwasoptionedtoOklahomaCity.Tomakeroomonthe40-manroster,infielder/outfielderRobSegedinwasmovedtothe60-daydisabledlist.Segedinwasplacedonthe10-daydisabledlistonApril19thforarightgreattoestrain.WheelerhadappearedintwogamesthisseasonfortheTwins,hisfirstappearancewasearlierthisweek,May30thwhenhemadehismajorleaguedebut.HehadpitchedthreeinningsthisyearfortheTwins,hegaveupsixhits,fiveruns(threeearned),walkedfourandhadnostrikeouts.HewasdesignatedforassignmentonJune1st.WheelerwasborninTorranceandwenttoLoyolaMarymountCollege.HewasdraftedbytheTwinsinthe8throundof2011draft.Hehasbeenastarterintheminors,starting139ofthe140gameshehaspitched.ThisyearatRochesterintheInternationalLeague,Wheelerhasstartedsevenoftheeightgameshepitched.Hehasgone44innings,allowing47hits,25runs(22earned),walkedtenandstruckout37.

Two-runhomerbyQuakesIbandelIsabelcompletescomeback9-8winByCraigMinami

TheOklahomaCityDodgershadthebases-loadedandtwooutinbottomofthe10thneedingoneruntotiethegame.ButitwasnottobesoOklahomaCitytooktheonelossfortheDodgeraffiliatesastheotherthreeteamsstagedcomebackstowintheirgames.

TheDominicanSummerLeaguestartstoday,theDodgershavetwoteams,aptlynamedDSLDodgers1andDSLDodgers2,whoplayindifferentdivisions.

TheleaguerunsMondaythroughSaturdayandtheregularseasonconcludesonSaturdayAugust26th.

Playeroftheday

IbandelIsabelhithisCaliforniaLeagueleading13thhomerunonFridaynightthatprovidedthego-aheadrunsintheQuakessuccessfulcomeback.The21-yearoldfirstbasemancontinuestoshowgoodpowerhasweheadtowardsthehalfwaypointoftheirseason.

Triple-AOklahomaCityTheDodgershadaveryfrustratingnightastheylost1-0totheColoradoSpringsSkySox(Brewers)inteninnings.MikeFreemancameupwiththebases-loadedandflewouttoendOklahomaCity’slastchance.

ThatfinalouttypifiedtheoffensefortheDodgers,theywent0-for-10withrunnersinscoringposition.Theycouldonlyproducesixsinglesanddrewsixwalksinthegame.Onthemound,theDodgersmatchedupwellwiththeSkySox.WilmerFontstruckoutteninhissix-inningstart.Fontgaveupjusttwohitsandwalk.JoshRavin,JoeBroussardandMadisonYounginercombinedtothrowthreescorelessinnings.JacobRhamecameintopitchthe10th,hegaveupaleadoffsingletoGarrettCooperandCooperwouldscorefromsecondonatwo-outsinglebyYadielRivera.Asnoted,theDodgerswouldloadthebasesonasingle,awalkandahit-by-pitchwithtwooutinthe10thbuttheycouldnotgetthehitforthewin.

Double-ATulsa

TheDrillersfoundthreerunsinthe9thinningandcamebacktowin5-4overCorpusChristiHooks(Astros).Theydiditthehardway,threeconsecutivetwo-outsinglesscoredaruneach,thelastsinglebyWinstonSawyerwasthewalk-offwinner.

CorpusChristiscoredthreerunsoffstarterJoshSborz.Sborzwentfiveinnings,hegaveupfivehitsandawalkalongwiththethreeruns.ColtHyneshadtwoscorelessinningsbutthenYaiselSierraallowedaruninthe9ththatgaveCorpusChristianinsurancerun.However,withtwo-outandtwoon,singlesbyMattBeaty,MichaelAhmedandSawyerscoredthethreerunsneededtowinthegame.

Class-ARanchoCucamonga

TheQuakeshadlostfiveinarowsofallingbehindbysixrunsearlywasnotahopefulsign.ButtheQuakesimmediatelyscoredfourrunsinthe4thandthenapairoftworunsinboththe6thand7thinningsgavethema9-8winoverVisaliaRawhide(Diamondbacks).DennisSantanadidnotpitchwell,lastingonly1⅔inningsonFriday.Santanagaveupfivehits,fiveruns(threeearned),walkedthreeandstruckouttwo.IvanVietezwouldgiveuptwomorerunsandanotherrunscoredoffKevinBrown.Brownturnedthetablesandgotthewin.AndrewIstlergothisfifthsave.TheQuakescomebackbeganwhenwithoneoutandthebases-loaded,VictorRoachehithissecondhomerunfortheQuakes,andthisonewasagrandslamtobringtheQuakeswithintworuns.Inthe6thinning,LukeRaleydoubledhomethetyingrunsandaninninglater,theQuakeswentaheadonIbandelIsabel’shomerun.

Class-AGreatLakes

TheLoonsscoredaruninthe6ththatwasthedifferenceintheir3-2winagainsttheBowlingGreenHotRods(Rays).Withtwooutandarunneronsecond,OneilCruzdoubledhomeCodyThomaswiththetie-breakingrun.A.J.Alexystruckoutsixinfourinningspitched.Alexygaveupthreehits,tworunsandwalkedthree.NolanLong,whogotthewin,pitchedtwoscorelessinnings,thatwasfollowedbyMiguelUrena’sthreeinnings.Urenagotthesave.

Transactions

Triple-A:LosAngelesoptionedleft-handedpitcherJasonWheelertoOklahomaCity.Class-A:Left-handedpitcherDevinSmeltzerassignedtoRanchoCucamongafromGreatLakes;RanchoCucamongaplacedright-handedpitcherChrisPowellonthe7-daydisabledlist.GreatLakesactivatedright-handedpitcherPatrickDuesterfromthe7-daydisabledlist.

FridayScores

ColoradoSprings1,OklahomaCity0(10)Tulsa5,CorpusChristi4

RanchoCucamonga9,Visalia8GreatLakes3,BowlingGreen2

Saturdayschedule

4:05p.m.PT:GreatLakes(JordanSheffield)vs.BowlingGreen(TBD)5:05p.m.:OklahomaCity(JulioUrias)vs.ColoradoSprings(BrandonWoodruff)5:05p.m.:Tulsa(WalkerBuehler)vs.CorpusChristi(KyleSmith)7:00p.m.:RanchoCucamonga(AdamBray)atVisalia(CodyReed)

CodyBellingercapsbigdaywithhomeruntobeatBrewers2-1in12th

ByCraigMinami

TheDodgersbeattheBrewers2-1in12inningsastheDodgersgotahomerunfromYasmaniGrandalinthe9thtotiethegameandthenCodyBellingerputtheDodgersaheadforgoodwithasoloshotinthe12th.BellingerhadbeennamedNLRookieoftheMonthforMayearlierintheday.KenleyJansenhadnotpitchedtwoinningsinaregularseasongamesinceJune10,2013,wenttwoinningsonFriday.HefinishedofftheBrewersandindoingso,recordedhis39thstrikeoutwithoutawalktostarttheseason,whichisaMajorLeaguerecord.Forthegame,theDodgerpitchers,Kershaw,PedroBaez,GrantDaytonandJansen,combinedtostrikeout26BrewersandthattotalsetaNationalLeaguerecordforonegameandittiedtheMajorLeaguerecord.TheDodgershittersstruckout16timeswhichisthreelessthantheirseasonhigh.Speakingofstrikeouts,ClaytonKershawcontinuedthethemeofachievementsasherecordedhis2000thstrikeoutinthesecondinning.Kershawwasdominant,retiring20inarowuntilDomingoSantanahitatwo-outsolohomeruntoprovidethefirstrunofthegame.Kershawpitchedseveninnings,allowedtheonerunontwohits,hadonewalkandstruckout14.Trailingbyarun,itlookedtheDodgerslackofoffensewoulddoomthem.BrewersstartingpitcherJimmyNelsoncertainlyplayedapartintheDodgeroffensivewoes,hematchedcareerhighswithhiseight-inning,11strikeoutgame.Butafterhegottheone-runlead,theDodgersmountedtheirbestchanceofthegameatthatpoint.YasielPuigledofftheeighthwithaninfieldsingleandBrettEibnerfollowedwithasingletoleft.ManagerDaveRobertshadChrisTaylorpinch-hitforKershaw.Taylorattemptedtosacrificeuntilhehadtwostrikesagainsthim.HehitagroundballtosecondbutitwasbobbledsotheBrewersdidnotturnadoubleplay.

ButtheDodgershopesweredashedwhenLoganForsythehitintoadoubleplaytoendthethreat.PedroBaezrelievedKershawandkeepinginthegame’stheme,hestruckoutthesideintheeighth.CoreyKnebelrelievedNelsonandafterstrikingoutCoreySeager,Grandalhitascreaminglinedrivehomeruntorighttotiethegame.TheDodgerswouldeventuallyloadthebasesbutBrettEibnerstruckouttoendtheinning.Theteamswouldtradescorelessinningsuntilthe12thwhenBellinger,whowas0-for-3withthreestrikeoutsandanintentionalwalk,bombedahomeruntoright,his12th,togivetheDodgerstheleadandultimatelythewin.UpnextTheDodgerswillstartRichHillandtheBrewerswillcounterwithright-handerMattGarza.Firstpitchisscheduledfor1:10p.m.PT.FridayparticularsHomeruns:DomingoSantana(9),YasmaniGrandal(6),CodyBellinger(12)WP-KenleyJansen(3-0):2IP,1hit,4strikeoutsLP-NeftaliFeliz(1-5):1IP,1hit,1run,1walk,1homerun

DODGERSINSIDER

Kershawsurpasses2,000strikeouts,DodgerssetNLrecordforKsinagame

ByRowanKavner

TheDodgerswereintherecordbusinessFridaynight.Withhis fourthof a season-high14 strikeouts against theBrewers, ClaytonKershaw surpassed2,000strikeouts for his career, and that was just the beginning for Dodger pitchers on a night they set aNationalLeaguerecordandtiedaMajorLeaguerecordwith26strikeoutsina2–1winin12innings.TheDodgersandBrewerscombinedtofan42battersinthegame.AssensationalasKershawwas,BrewersstarterJimmyNelsonwasjustasmasterfulholdingtheDodgersofftheboardwhilestrikingout11ineightinningsofwork.Becauseofthat,Kershaw — whohadretired20straightbeforeDomingoSantanabrokeascorelessgamewithahomerun intheseventh inning — was indangerof suffering the loss, something that’sneverhappenedbefore inagame inwhichhe’sstruckoutatleast12batters.YasmaniGrandal,CodyBellingerandtheDodgerbullpenensuredFridaywouldn’tmarkthefirsttime.Grandaltiedthegamewithahomerunintheninthinning,andaDodgerbullpenthatstruckout12infivescoreless inningshelpedset thestage forBellinger toprovide thegame-winning runwitha12th-inninghomerforhisteam-leading12homerunoftheyear.

Coincidentally,that’salsothesamenumberofhomerunshisfatherClayhitduringhiscareer.“I’msureIhaveatextfromhimrightnow,”Bellingersaidafterthewin.“He’ssuperproud.I’mproudandI’mhappyandIwanttojustkeepitgoing.”Bellinger said he’d never seen anything like what the pitchers accomplished Friday. Manager DaveRobertsechoedthat.

Eachteam’sstarterhadalreadystruckoutsevenbattersapiecethroughthefirst21outsofthegame.AndwhenKershawleftafterseveninnings,theDodgerbullpendemonstratedwhyitenteredwiththehighestWAR(3.9)andbestWHIP(1.06)inbaseball.

ThethreeotherteamsinMajorLeaguehistorytorecord26strikeoutsinagameallneededatleast17inningstodoso.TheDodgersneeded12.

AndasKenleyJansenpreservedthewinwithatwo-inningsave,hesetaMajorLeaguerecordofhisown,recording39strikeoutswithoutawalkthisseason.

“Bullpen,can’tsayenoughaboutthoseguys,”Kershawsaid.“Ourbullpen’sprettyspecial.”

MoreonKershaw’s2000

Kershawbecamethethird-fastestpitcher(byinnings)andfifth-youngestpitcherto2,000strikeoutsinMajorLeaguehistory.

OnlyPedroMartinezandRandyJohnsonreached2,000strikeoutsinfewerinningsthanKershaw,whobecamethefastestamongeightactivepitcherstoreachthemark.Inaddition,onlyBertBlyleven,SamMcDowell,WalterJohnsonandFelixHernandezreachedthemarkatayoungeragethanKershaw(29years,75days).

KershawhadstruckoutninebattersthreetimesthisyearenteringFriday’sgame.Hemanagedtodothatinhisfirstfourinnings.Hereached2,000strikeoutsinthesecondinningwhenhefannedJonathanVillar.

Whilethatbaseballwassaved,Kershaw’snotonetorevelinpersonalglory.

“It’llbecoolsomeday,”Kershawsaid.“Whenyouretire,youlookbackonthatstuff.”

Histeammatesandmanager,however,diditforhim.

“Hewasunbelievable,”Robertssaid.“Idon’tknowwhatelsetosay.Hewaslightsout.Hehadcommandofeverything.”

MakingMoves

Afterthewin,theDodgersmadearostermove,acquiringleft-handedpitcherJasonWheelerfromtheTwinsinexchangeforcashconsiderations.

Wheeler,26,whosawhisfirstbig-leagueactionthisyearwithMinnesota,hascombinedtogo55–37witha3.70ERAin140gamesinsixMinorLeagueseasonswiththeTwins.HewasoptionedtoTriple-AOklahomaCity.

Tomakeroomonthe40-manroster,theDodgerstransferredRobSegedin(toe,wrist)tothe60-daydisabledlist.

DODGERSPHOTOGBLOG

6/2/17-SomethingSpecial-ShawnGreen’sFourHomeRunGamevstheMilwaukeeBrewers-May23,2002atMillerPark…byJonSooHoo/©LosAngelesDodgers,LLC2002ByJonSooHoohttps://dodgersphotog.mlblogs.com/6-2-17-something-special-shawn-greens-four-home-run-game-vs-the-milwaukee-brewers-may-23-2002-at-ccd48363561e

YAHOOSPORTS

ClaytonKershawpasses2,000careerstrikeoutsandhe'snowhereneardoneByMarkTownsendClaytonKershawaddedyetanothermilestonetohisstoriedcareeronFriday,becomingthesecondorthird-fastestpitcherinMLBhistorytonotch2,000strikeouts,dependingonwhichstatyouprefer.TheLosAngelesDodgersacereachedthemilestonein277games.OnlyRandyJohnson(262games)gottherefasterintermsofgamespitched.Intermsofinningspitched,Kershawisthethirdfastestto2,000behindJohnsonandPedroMartinez.Thedominantleft-handerfinishedwith14strikeoutsinaseven-inningno-decisionagainsttheBrewersonFriday.HeallowedjustasolohomeruntoDomingoSantana,andatonepointretired20straightbatters.Hecameinneedingfourstrikeoutstoreachthemilestoneandwastednotimegettingthere,settingdownfourBrewersinthefirsttwoinnings.JonathanVillarwashis2,000thvictim.OnceKershawleft,theDodgersbullpencontinuedmowingdownbatters.TheDodgerscombined26strikeoutsover12inningssetafranchiserecord,andcloserKenleyJansensetamajor-leaguerecordwithhis36thstrikeouttobegintheseasonwithoutallowingawalk.Theteamscombined42strikeoutswerethemosteverinaNationalLeaguegame.

TheDodgersendedupwinningthegame2-1onCodyBellinger’s12th-inninghomerun.ClaytonKershawisthe78thpitchertoreach2,000strikeouts,soit’snotexactlyanexclusivelist.RyanDempster,DanHarenandAndyBenesareamongthepitchershewillpassinhisnext100strikeouts.Butit’sstillanotableachievement,especiallyconsideringKershawisstilljust29yearsold.Kershawisthefourthpitchertoreach2,000strikeoutsinaDodgersuniform.DonSutton(2,696),DonDrysdale(2,486)andSandyKoufax(2,396)allcementedtheirHallofFamelegaciesinpartbecauseoftheirimpressivestrikeouttotals.ThoughbythetimeKershawisdone,it’slikelyhe’llhavepassedthemallonhiswaytohisownHallofFameinduction.PerhapsthebiggestquestionnowisjusthowhighcanKershawpossiblygetontheall-timelist?Only16pitchershavereached3,000careerstrikeouts.That’sthecompanyKershawwillaimtojoinnext,andthere’sverylittledoubthe’llgettheresolongashestayshealthy.Kershawalsoseemslikealegitthreattoreachthetoptenonthelist.GregMadduxcurrentlyoccupiesthatspotwith3,371forhisHallofFamecareer.Andwhoknows,maybe4,000isevenapossibility.Onlyfourpitchersbelongtothatclub,butKershawwillbewellbeyondthehalfwaymarkbeforeturning30nextMarch.OnethingthatremainsextremelyunlikelyisthatKershaw—oranyoneelseforthatmatter—willreachtheall-timeleaderNolanRyan,whoretiredwith5,714strikeouts.Intermsofunbreakablerecords,thatoneisnearthetopofthelist.ButKershawiswellonhiswaytoestablishingalegacythatwillrankamongtheverybest.

USATODAYSPORTS

ClaytonKershawbecomesthird-fastestpitchertoreach2,000careerstrikeoutsByUSATODAYSportsLosAngelesDodgersaceleft-handerClaytonKershawbecamethethird-fastestpitchertoreach2,000careerstrikeoutsFridaynightattheMilwaukeeBrewers.Kershawreachedthemilestonewithhisfourthstrikeoutofthegame,gettingBrewersshortstopJonathanVillartoswingthroughahighfastballonan0-2count.Kershawaccomplishesthefeatafter1,8371/3inningspitched.OnlyPedroMartinez(1,7151/3)andRanduJohnson(1,734)reachedthemilestonefaster,accordingtotheEliasSportsBureau.

MaxScherzerislikelytoeclipseKershaw’sfeatsoonthough,astheNationals’right-handerhas1,981strikeoutsin1,7732/3innings.KershawwentintoFriday’sstartwitha7-2recordand2.37ERA.