The outcome of Clayton Kershaw’s return to the mound was a loss. Simply put, the Los Angeles Dodgers are happy to see him return.When he’s not healthy, he’s not the greatest fun to be around, according to manager Dave Roberts.
Kershaw made his first start since July 27 on Thursday after being activated. In five innings of work against the Colorado Rockies, he allowed one run, three hits, four strikeouts, and no walks while receiving a no-decision. The Colorado Rockies were defeated 2-1.
He remarked, “It was great to be back.” “To get through five was good, and hopefully the leash keeps getting lengthened as I go.”
Due to left shoulder pain, the 35-year-old left-hander missed 35 games.
He now hopes that the three-time Cy Young Award winner stays healthy for a potential postseason run in October, along with the Dodgers.
More than anything else, Kershaw remarked, “We want to be a part of that.” The division has not yet been won. There is still plenty to do.
Wednesday’s game against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers is likely to be Kershaw’s next start.
It’s encouraging to me if I return tomorrow and am in good health, he remarked.
In the eighth inning, Max Muncy took a bases-loaded, two-out walk to bring in the winning run. For the Rockies, it was Daniel Bard’s 36th walk in 40 innings.
The NL West-leading Dodgers increased their lead over the San Francisco Giants to 6 1/2 games with their sixth straight victory against the bottom-of-the-division squad.
“You always have a good feeling about how the game is going to go when 22 (Kershaw) is on the mound. Everyone in this clubhouse will benefit from it, said Muncy. Wish we had been able to provide him with a bit more run support, but that is the how things are. He always keeps us in the game, and he did it again.
Pinch-hitter Leading off the eighth inning against Tommy Doyle (0-0), David Peralta walked. Peralta was out when pinch-hitter Jason Heyward grounded into a fielder’s choice to second. Prior to Bard entering the game and walking Freddie Freeman to put runners on base, Mookie Betts singled.
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Diamondbacks shortstop For the second out, pinch-hitter Will Smith was caught over the shoulder by Ezequiel Tovar in shallow left-center field. Chris Taylor then flew out to end the inning after Bard had walked Muncy.
“There are countless ways to triumph in a game. For us, that final inning served as proof,” Muncy said. “We had a bunch of guys taking good at-bats and just trying to string some things together and not let the moment get too big.”
With three bullpen innings, Ryan Yarbrough (5-5) was successful in earning the win. For his fifth save, Brusdar Graterol threw the ninth inning.
Kershaw was hit by Elehuris Montero’s home run, giving the Rockies a 1-0 advantage.
With two outs in the fifth, Montero hit his fourth home run of the year. It was Kershaw’s 13th home run surrendered this year.
Elas Daz was forced to ground out on one of Kershaw’s four changeups to finish the first inning.
Three of them, according to Kershaw, were fine. They recently had some players for whom a changeup is an effective pitch.
At the start of the seventh inning, Muncy’s solo homer forced Rockies starter Ty Bloch to leave the game tied.
Taylor then singled after Kiké Hernández’s ground ball resulted in a double play.
In order to tag Taylor out, Alan Trejo made a diving stop on the third base side of second and managed to get his right toe across the bag. The Rockies’ third double play of the game was finished when Trejo threw to first to get Hernández. The Dodgers unsuccessfully appealed the second-base out call.
Ryan McMahon’s ground ball that narrowly escaped Freeman’s glove in the first inning was his first mistake of the year.
In six innings, Bloch allowed three hits and one run. The left-hander walked two while striking out two.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: OF Charlie Blackmon (hand) participated in a workout at Dodger Stadium and will travel on Friday to Triple-A Albuquerque. After a few games, he’ll get another evaluation. 2B Brendan Rodgers missed his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. In an effort to play Friday, he ran, took grounders, and hit during batting practice. The group is sure he can stay off the injured list.
Dodgers: After throwing to live batters on Wednesday in Arizona for the first time since their operations, optimism is high about RHP Walker Buehler (elbow) and RHP Blake Treinen (shoulder). When Buehler returns, it will have been roughly 12 months after his second Tommy John surgery of his career. He hopes to do so some time next month. “Seeing him (throw), I’m buying in a lot more,” said Roberts.
MOM ON THE MOUND
Even though it was Caleb Williams bobblehead night, the quarterback from Southern California wasn’t present. Dayne Price, who was in charge of first pitch responsibilities, threw a strike from in front of the mound instead. She expressed her joy by pumping both arms. Williams is depicted with the Heisman Trophy in his bobblehead.
NEXT UP
For the Rockies on Friday, LHP Austin Gomber (9-8, 5.40 ERA) gets the ball. Since being acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, RHP Lance Lynn (8-9, 6.11) is attempting to win his third game in a row.