Kershaw Strikes Out 13, Throws Complete Game In Final Start Before All-Star Game
LOS ANGELES (AP/CBSLA.com) — Clayton Kershaw definitely made a strong case to persuade fans to vote into the All-Star game through the Final Vote by striking out 13 and pitching a complete game.
Kershaw still needs the fans to vote for him in the National League's Final Vote in order for him to make his fifth consecutive All-Star game.
Jimmy Rollins hit a three-run homer against his former team to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 Wednesday night.
Kershaw (6-6) walked none and threw 123 pitches. The left-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last 31 innings against the Phillies while making three straight scoreless starts against them.
He earned his 10th career shutout and 18th complete game in his 227th start.
Kershaw notched his 9th shutout in the last five seasons, which is two more than any other pitcher in baseball.
A.J. Ellis also homered in the 5-0 win, as he continues to be the preferred battery-mate of the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
Adam Morgan (1-2) gave up five runs and six hits in four innings. The left-hander struck out one and walked one in his third career start.
The first came on a wild pitch in the sixth, when Kershaw gave up consecutive singles to Maikel Franco and Darin Ruf before retiring the last two batters on popups. Carlos Ruiz doubled leading off the ninth and moved to third on Freddy Galvis' groundout, but Kershaw retired the final two hitters to close out his first shutout since last July 26, a three-hitter against San Francisco.
Rollins followed in the third with his three-run shot, extending the Dodgers' lead to 5-0. His two-run single helped the Dodgers to a 10-7 win in the series opener Monday.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Severino Gonzalez (3-2, 8.28 ERA) starts the four-game series finale.
Dodgers: RHP Zack Greinke (7-2, 1.48) makes his last start before the All-Star break.
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