Los Angeles Dodgers defeat New York Mets 6-0 – MLB Update
Clayton Kershaw put in a brilliant performance as he gave up only five hits in eight innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated New York Mets 6-0 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, July 7.
After losing the three games in succession, this was a win that the Dodgers needed. "We definitely needed a win. We hit well, played defense well," Kershaw said. "Everybody is a little bit happier. Maybe this will spark us back to the good old days."
Aaron Miles’ ensured an auspicious start for the team in the second inning when the Mets’ starter Dillon Gee’s had his first scoreless inning. Miles hit a sacrifice fly to lend a 1-0 lead in the beginning of the game, something that Kershaw got support from.
Clayton Kershaw established his resilience despite the earlier setbacks for the team. His was a different game on Thursday with constant variation in the pitches, keeping the pace up so as to not allow the Mets’ offence to open their bats.
While Kershaw maintained the early 1-0 lead, the Dodgers’ offence suddenly sparked in the 5-hit five-run fifth inning that completely changed the map of the game and shattered every hope of the Mets to sweep the series 4-0.
Matt Kemp had a wonderful two-run hit to take the lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning. He doubled to deep left followed by a Juan Uribe hit that earned Los Angeles their fourth run. Gee was indeed in for a bigger surprise.
Both Aaron Miles and Dioner Navarro had their respective singles in the same inning to take the lead to a seemingly irreversible 6-0, igniting a flurry of activity in the Mets’ camp that tried their best to make a come-back in the game.
The 6-0 lead was sufficient enough for Kershaw to turn into an impressive victory, as he led his team in the most striking fashion possible. Not even for a fraction of second did the starter seem tired to call the pitching spell off.
Once he had pitched the 8 innings without allowing any runs, only five hits, the relievers’ Kenley Jansen and Hong-Chih Kuo pitched brilliantly earn the Dodgers a wonderful 6-0 victory to avoid a clean sweep as well.
The credit indeed goes to Kershaw for his strong innings, specially the eighth one.
"I've blown the game twice when he's come out and left me in. I was due," Kershaw said. "I threw too many pitches in the eighth and labored a little bit. My fastball command wasn't that good, so it was definitely good to get out of it."
It will be interesting to see how the Dodgers manage their much needed confidence and carry their winning momentum into their next match-up.
Tags: