Clayton Kershaw powers Los Angeles Dodgers to 8-0 victory against Colorado Rockies-MLB Update
Starter Clayton Kershaw helps the Los Angeles Dodgers shut-out Colorado Rockies 8-0 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California in the first match of the three game series on September 28, 2012.
Dodgers leaped to a lead right in the beginning of the match. In the bottom of the second inning, they posted four runs on the scoreboard. Such a substantial lead put them in an ideal position to win the game. The fact starter Kershaw was impeccable on the
mound strengthened their position further.
Kershaw did not allow Rockies to bounce back and threaten the lead of the Dodgers. His immaculate innings hardly provided the opposition any opportunity to experience run rampages.
He threw eight innings on Friday as he struck-out 10 and leaked five hits.
Offensively Dodgers saw left fielder Shane Victorino doing the bulk of the contribution. He smacked a three-run homer in the game.
Besides Victorino, Andre Ethier struck three hits in the match in four at-bats.
Kershaw has commented on the chances of the Dodgers for winning the Wild Card berth in the season. He understands the indispensability of securing victories at this stage for the Dodgers.
By starting a long winning streak from now onward, they can go a long way in becoming the second team from the National League with a Wild Card berth.
"I'm just realistic," said Kershaw. "We pretty much need to win out. We're playing great baseball now. We can't really worry about St. Louis. Obviously we're watching."
Don Mattingly, manager for the Dodgers, has also emphasised the significance of the matches ahead and how victories in them can help them qualifying for the playoffs.
"We got to keep pressure on St. Louis," he said. "We got to force them to win every day."
Mattingly will want his players to go all-out and leave no stone unturned in avoiding defeats in the next two matches. Currently the momentum is on their side which means that they keep putting up splendid shows is not going to be difficult for them.
It will be interesting to see how the Dodgers react to the challenge and record wins in the upcoming games.
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