Clayton Kershaw Dominates in Final Start, Dodgers Win 6-1
UPDATE: Clayton Kershaw delivered a stunning performance in his final regular-season start, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a commanding 6-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 24, 2023. The 37-year-old left-hander, in his illustrious 18-year major league career, tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven batters, including his last opponent, Eugenio Suárez.
Kershaw’s career milestone of 3,052 strikeouts was marked by a powerful slider that secured his final out before leaving the game to a thunderous standing ovation from a sellout crowd. This emotional farewell underscores the impact Kershaw has had on baseball and his fans.
The Dodgers wasted no time asserting dominance against Mariners’ starter Bryce Miller, scoring early with a two-run home run from Hyeseong Kim in the second inning, followed by another two-run shot from Freddie Freeman in the third. The fireworks continued as Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way star, hit his franchise-record 55th home run of the season, solidifying his place in history. This achievement not only surpasses his own record set in 2024 but also propels him to over 100 RBIs for the third time in his career.
Key moments unfolded throughout the game, notably Kim’s decisive home run, which broke the scoreless tie and energized the Dodgers’ offense. The team’s relentless pursuit of victory was evident as they added an RBI single from Andy Pages in the eighth inning.
Seattle’s slugger Cal Raleigh concluded his regular season with a respectable performance, going 1 for 3, finishing with an impressive 125 RBIs and leading the majors with 60 home runs.
The victory secures the Dodgers’ momentum as they prepare for the upcoming postseason. They will face the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Mariners are set to take on the winner of the first-round series between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series starting Saturday.
As the baseball world reflects on Kershaw’s remarkable career, fans and players alike are eager to see how the postseason unfolds, especially with Kershaw’s legacy leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Stay tuned for further updates as the playoffs approach.
