Clayton Kershaw sets Dodgers' franchise strikeout record
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers raises his hat to acknowledge the crowd after becoming the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Time Strikeout Leader during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger
LOS ANGELES - Clayton Kershaw set the Los Angeles Dodgers' franchise strikeout record Saturday night in Chavez Ravine. With a fourth-inning slider to Spencer Torkelson, Kershaw notched strikeout number 2,697, passing Hall of Famer Don Sutton for the all-time mark.
Kershaw entered Saturday's start against the Detroit Tigers needing just four Ks to nab the record. In the top third inning, Kershaw struck out catcher Dustin Garneau, tying Sutton's record.
Sutton had held the record since Aug. 5, 1979, when he struck out Greg Johnston of the San Francisco Giants, passing another Hall of Famer Don Drysdale.
After breaking the record, Kershaw proceeded to strike out two more in the top of the fourth, punching out Jonathan Schoop and Garneau once more.
SUGGESTED:
- 'The right decision': Clayton Kershaw pulled after 7 perfect innings
- Clayton Kershaw to stay with Dodgers on 1-year deal, report says
Kershaw was pulled after six innings, allowing one run on four hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts for an even 2,700 on his career. Kershaw left with a no-decision.
Despite Kershaw's best efforts, the Dodgers to the Tigers Saturday by a score of 5-1.
Kershaw is 26th on MLB's list of all-time strikeout leaders and fourth among active pitchers behind Max Scherzer of the New York Mets (3,053), Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros (3,041) and Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals (2,815). Kershaw has 382 games in his 15-year career with the Dodgers.
City News Service contributed to this report.