September 29 is a memorable date in Los Angeles Dodgers history as it is when the team clinched the 2015 National League West title behind a complete game from Clayton Kershaw.
L.A. was mired in a four-game losing streak heading into their matchup against the San Francisco Giants. They snapped that and wrapped up the division behind a vintage performance from Kershaw, who outdueled Madison Bumgarner.
Kershaw’s only real brush with trouble came in the third inning, at the time pitching with a 2-0 lead. Kershaw allowed a one-out single and Kevin Frandsen moved into scoring position on a wild pitch with two outs.
Angel Pagan drew a walk to extend the inning, though San Francisco failed to capitalize as Kelby Tomlinson grounded out. The Dodgers added to their lead in the sixth inning, behind back-to-back solo home runs from Justin Ruggiano and A.J. Ellis, with the latter knocking Bumgarner out of the game.
Sept. 29, 2015: Clayton Kershaw had 13 strikeouts and threw a 1-hit shutout against the Giants to help the #Dodgers clinch the NL West title. pic.twitter.com/W5oSeuK4iA
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) September 29, 2023
By the time the Dodgers blew the game open in the eighth inning, Kershaw was cruising through the outing. He struck out the side in the fifth and sixth innings, and did so again in the eighth.
Kershaw then retired the side in order in the ninth to put the finishing touches on his complete game in an 8-0 win. He held the Giants to just one hit, collected 13 strikeouts on the night and retired the final 19 batters faced.
Don Mattingly became the first manager in Dodgers franchise history to guide his club to three consecutive NL West titles. Though, that wound up being his last as the Dodgers were eliminated by the New York Mets in the NL Division Series and it led to a mutual parting with Mattingly.
Manager Dave Roberts has since guided the club to five straight NL West titles.
Dodgers NL West streak
The Dodgers’ overall stretch of eight consecutive NL West titles was the longest in franchise history before it was snapped by the Giants in 2021.
The Dodgers nevertheless went on to eliminate the Giants in a thrilling NL Division Series by winning Game 5 on the road.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
