The pitchers’ duel Clayton Kershaw was expected to be part of came one start later. Whereas the Los Angeles Dodgers ace and Chicago Cubs lefty Jon Lester failed to live up to the billing, Kershaw and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson dominated.
Kershaw set a season high with 14 strikeouts over seven innings. He reached 2,000 career strikeouts in the process, becoming the third-fastest pitcher (based on innings pitched) to reach the milestone.
But a fastball to Domingo Santana in the seventh inning nearly spoiled Kershaw’s efforts. Nelson, meanwhile, tallied 11 strikeouts over eight shutout innings.
If not for Yasmani Grandal’s game-tying solo home run in the ninth, Kershaw would’ve suffered a second career 1-0 loss.