fbpx

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Preferred To Remain In Start Vs. Marlins, But Understanding Of Dave Roberts’ ‘Bigger Picture’

Matthew Moreno
4 Min Read
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

It has become commonplace over recent seasons but seemingly never any easier of a conversation. With Clayton Kershaw hat 97 pitches through six shutout innings, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ventured over to speak with the franchise’s longtime ace.

Kershaw appeared to get animated as Roberts patted him on the chest. The message was clear: Kershaw’s dominant night, in which he set a season high with 10 strikeouts, was complete. “I wanted to stay in,” he would later say. “I think the outcome of the game aside, I would have liked to stay in.

“It was Doc’s decision obviously and the results are what it is and we ended up winning the game, so that’s all great. I just know what’s ahead and with two off days coming up I felt like it was a good time to get one more, but Doc’s always had the bigger picture in mind, which you can’t argue with.”

The Dodgers bullpen figured to be capable of preserving a 6-0 against a struggling Miami Marlins team. Instead, JT Chargois surrendered a solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Marlins rallied with a five-run eighth to tie the game.

Matt Beaty’s three-run home run in the bottom half of the inning broke the tie, and Russell Martin’s RBI single tacked on an insurance run.

Kershaw didn’t factor into the decision but nonetheless remained undefeated in 10 home starts this season. Overall he’s taken the mound 17 times this year, and authored a quality start each time out.

“It was a lot of positives, was able to get going pretty quick. My stuff was there early. It was a good day for the most part,” Kershaw said of his performance against the Marlins.

He carried a perfect game into the fourth inning, and retired the leadoff hitter before failing to make a play on a ball hit back to the mound. The infield single was followed by a typical hit, and that was all Kershaw wound up allowing.

“I think my slider was probably a little bit better today, for sure, maybe even fastball command was a little bit better today,” he said. “Really, just stuff in general was a little bit more crisp today, which is great.

“I think my slider had some decent depth early and my curveball mixed in there for the most part. I didn’t throw I think as many strikes as I would have liked with it. But mix it up, get a little bit creative, Barnsey did a great job and was able to get some more punchouts than usual, which is good.”

Though Kershaw had a difference of opinion with his manager, that hardly upset Roberts. “I love that about him and I love that about all of our starters,” he said of the desire to remain in the game.

“I thought he was very good tonight. I thought the slider was good, I thought the curveball was good, he was seeing pitches well, his fastball command was very good. Ten punch, one walk, very good night and obviously for him personally, you leave the game 6-0 through six, you want to win. But most importantly, the Dodgers got a win.

“But yeah, for Clayton, he threw really well. Where we’re at right now, for me, it makes no sense to try to push him. It doesn’t, and that’s why I’ve been very consistent with that for four years. But I do appreciate him wanting to go back out there.”

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com