A pair of Cy Young Awards, three straight major league ERA titles, a 20-win season -- and now a no-hitter.
There isn't much more for Clayton Kershaw to accomplish from an individual standpoint. Now all the Los Angeles Dodgers' ace wants is a World Series ring.
Kershaw dominated the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night, striking out a career-high 15 and allowing his only baserunner on a throwing error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez in Los Angeles' 8-0 victory.
Kershaw's gem gave the Dodgers the only two no-hitters in the majors this season. Josh Beckett tossed one May 25 in Philadelphia.
"I am so amazed," Kershaw said. "Beckett told me he was going to teach me how to do that, so I have Josh to thank."
Cheered on by his wife in the stands, Kershaw (7-2) retired his first 18 batters before Corey Dickerson led off the seventh with a slow bouncer to Ramirez. His throw on the run went wide past first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for a two-base error -- ending any chance for a perfect game.
But that was it for the Rockies against Kershaw, who shrugged off the miscue.
"He had command of everything. I told him between innings: 'It's not fair when you have a devastating slider and a devastating curveball in the same night,'" catcher A.J. Ellis said. "And when he does that, nights like this are really possible."
One batter after Dickerson reached base, rookie third baseman Miguel Rojas backhanded Troy Tulowitzki's grounder behind the bag and let fly with a strong throw to first that Gonzalez -- a three-time Gold Glove winner -- scooped out of the dirt to keep the no-hitter intact.
With the crowd of 46,069 on its feet and roaring, Kershaw made quick work of the Rockies in the ninth.
DJ LeMahieu grounded out to first base on the first pitch of the inning, and Charlie Culberson hit a lazy fly to right field on the next one. Dickerson then got four straight strikes and went down swinging.
"I've seen some great pitching performances, but it's tough to be any better than Kershaw," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said.
After his 107th and final pitch, a beaming Kershaw raised his arms above his head and waited for a huge hug from Ellis.
"I started tearing up out there in the ninth inning, just sitting out there catching and watching him throw after he got those first two outs," Ellis said. "It was pretty special."
"It's something you never forget," he added. "It's a game I'll watch on replays with my kids forever."
Historical Figures
Clayton Kershaw became the first pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter while striking out 15 or more without allowing a walk. Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher with more strikeouts in a no-no.| Pitcher | K's | Year |
|---|---|---|
Nolan Ryan
|
17
|
1973
|
Nolan Ryan
|
16
|
1991
|
Clayton Kershaw
|
15
|
2014
|
Nolan Ryan
|
15
|
1974
|
Don Wilson
|
15
|
1967
|
Warren Spahn
|
15
|
1960
|
| -- Elias Sports Bureau | ||
Kershaw is also the third reigning Cy Young Award winner to throw a no-hitter.
| Pitcher | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|
Clayton Kershaw
|
Dodgers
|
2014
|
Bob Gibson
|
Cardinals
|
1971
|
Sandy Koufax
|
Dodgers
|
1964
|
-- ESPN Stats & Information
| ||
Moments later, as he was about to be interviewed on the field, Kershaw was doused by teammates with two large buckets. The left-hander with the big-breaking curve also got a hug from his wife.
Kershaw gave Los Angeles sports fans their second memorable thrill in just a few days.
The Kings won the Stanley Cup at home Friday night, their second NHL championship in three years, and brought the famous trophy to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday for a pregame ceremony.
The only other time the Dodgers pitched two no-hitters in one season was 1956, when the team was still in Brooklyn. Carl Erskine and Sal Maglie turned the trick that year.
Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, who tossed four no-hitters, pitched the franchise's only perfect game on Sept. 9, 1965, against the Chicago Cubs.
"I guess I haven't really thought of the ramifications of throwing one of these things, but it's definitely special company," Kershaw said. "I don't take for granted the history of this or what it means. I definitely understand all that. But as far as individually, it's right up there with winning playoff games and all that stuff. It's pretty cool."
Ramirez was back in the lineup after leaving Tuesday night's game with a bruised ring finger on his throwing hand, the result of a sharp grounder by Dickerson than deflected into short center field for a double.
Ramirez was replaced on defense by rookie Carlos Triunfel to start the eighth.
Kershaw missed more than six weeks early this year because of a strained muscle in his upper back, after beating Arizona in the season opener during the Dodgers' two-game trip to Australia.
It was the 22nd no-hitter in Dodgers history and the first at home since Ramon Martinez's 2-0 gem against the Marlins on July 14, 1995.
"His stuff was phenomenal tonight. I think all the guys said that. We tip our hats to him," Dickerson said.
The day after Beckett's no-hitter, teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu took a perfect game into the eighth inning against Cincinnati before giving up a leadoff double to Todd Frazier.
"As far as individual games go, this is really special. To do it at home is more amazing," Kershaw said before looking up and thanking the crowd.
Kershaw received a standing ovation when he came to bat in the eighth and another one minutes later after finishing the job against one of baseball's top lineups.
The Rockies began the day leading the majors in batting average, hits, total bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. They were first in the National League in runs and homers.
"There are some guys in that lineup that give him fits," Ellis said. "But the way he made those guys look tonight was a testament to how good his stuff was. He was pretty dialed in and pretty locked in -- especially as the game progressed."
Rojas also supported Kershaw with his bat, hitting a three-run double while continuing to fill in for injured third baseman Juan Uribe. Gonzalez and Matt Kemp each drove in two runs, helping the Dodgers complete their first three-game sweep at home this season.
Jorge De La Rosa (6-6) threw 86 pitches over 3 1/3 innings and was charged with eight runs, six hits and five walks. The left-hander is 0-3 with an 8.19 ERA in his past four starts after going 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA during his previous seven outings.
Game notes
The last time the Rockies were held hitless, it was by Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo on Sept. 17, 1996. The only other no-hitter against Colorado was pitched by Al Leiter of the Marlins in May 1996.
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