It took three days, but the megabucks, star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers finally figured out how to stop Elly De La Cruz and, by extension, the Cincinnati Reds.
Hall of Fame pitching.
Whether that someday proves to be an example of “it takes one to beat one,” on this day it was an example of Clayton Kershaw showing why he has spent much of his career being called the greatest pitcher on the planet — if not why he’ll make a 10th career All-Star roster this year.
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As impressive as Kershaw’s nine strikeouts and seven scoreless innings were on Thursday afternoon as the Dodgers averted a Reds sweep at Great American Ball Park with a 6-0 victory, this might have been his most impressive feat:
Of the five hits he allowed in those seven innings, only one — a mere infield single — belonged to De La Cruz, the sensational prospect who caught the attention of fans coast to coast this week for his feats of strength and speed his first two games in the majors.