Clayton Kershaw Dominates Month of May, Hit by Bat
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw did not end up with a victory on Sunday night, but his team won and he ended the month of May in dominating style just as he started the month.
Kershaw was taken out of a game during the middle of an inning for just the first time in his 11 starts this season.
After leaving with a 2-1 lead and a runner on first base, his bullpen allowed a tying run thus negating another win for Kershaw.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers defeated the New York Mets on the night and lifted the Los Angeles record to 10-1 in games pitched by Kershaw.
The game on Sunday was the first time Kershaw did not post a win in a start during May.
The Los Angeles ace and multiple Cy Young Award winner ended May 5-0 with an ERA of 0.91 in six starts. Over that stretch, he struck out 65 and walked just two.
In the game against New York Sunday, Kershaw reached 100 strikeouts on the season to go with just 5 walks. Statisticians said it was the first time in modern history that a pitcher has reached 100 strikeouts in a season with just five walks.
Cliff Lee reached 100 strikeouts in 2010, but he had walked 7 batters at the time.
Breaking it down even more, Kershaw when reaching the 100-strikeout plateau on the season had a strikeout to walk ratio of 20 to 1.
For many pitchers a 2 to 1 ratio of strikeouts to walks is strong, but a 20 to 1 ratio takes everything to a new level.
The Dodgers southpaw is focused on just wins and his personal accomplishments are secondary.
The winner of three Cy Young Awards reached the 300-strikeout plateau last season for only the first time in his eight-year career. However, his 100th strikeout last season did not come until his second start during June and at that time; he already had walked 19 batters.
In Sunday’s game, Kershaw swung at a Bartolo Colon pitch and cracked his bat on contact. However, rather than the bat flying from the handle, its barrel swung around and clobbered Kershaw on the area where his helmet reaches his neck.
He said it scared him as he ran to first but then stopped so he said he could check to see if he had stab wounds.
Nevertheless, a half inning afterwards he set the Mets down in order.
