Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Just Another Gem for Clayton Kershaw
There are really no words, superlative or otherwise, to describe the artistry that is a Clayton Kershaw pitched game.
Manager Don Mattingly gave it a good try. "Just typical Clayton, right," he asked.
All Kershaw did was pitch eight innings giving up a run on six hits while striking out eight in the Dodgers 2-1 victory against the the Cincinnati Reds. The Arizona Diamondbacks breathing down the Dodgers back and having obliterated the San Diego Padres 10-0, the Great Indoors becoming an abattoir for the Padres as Vin Scully described it. The Cincinnati Reds needing to win almost every game being in third place in the NL Central despite being 15 games over .500.
"Every pitch," Mattingly continued stumbling for words to adequately describe his ace. "He's just relentless as far as every hitter, every pitch, every inning. He just continues on. It's one of the greatest things about Clayton."
Support for LAist comes from
Kershaw didn't have words for it also. "I felt good tonight," he commented. Let's nominate that as the understatement of the year.
But what do you ask someone who just pitched a gem of a game and lowered his ERA to 1.96? What do you ask someone who more often than not will lead a team to victory?
A couple of batters will reach base, but the likeliest outcome is them standing on that same base as the Dodgers head back to the dugout to go on offense. Sometimes it does get monotonous until you remember that this does not happen to mere mortals. There are a very select few who have the same skill and whose names I won't mention in respect to Kershaw and those greats.
The assist for this game went to Hanley Ramirez who belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning off of starter Homer Bailey. "I was trying to get a good pitch to drive," Ramirez said. "I think he left something over the plate, and I put a good swing on it."
For Ramirez this marks the first real chance he's had to be in the playoffs. The close game, the increased intensity: Ramirez felt that in this game.
"This game today was unbelievable," Ramirez said. "That's it right there. That's the feeling. That's the way you're supposed to play the game in the playoffs."
Fun fact: In 131 games started Homer Bailey armed with a career 4.39 ERA has two no-hitters. Clayton Kershaw with 170 starts and a 2.68 ERA has none. Of course other notable members of the no no-no club are Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Phil Niekro, Don Drysdale. If that doesn't disprove the existence of a god, I don't know what else will.
Support for LAist comes from
Reds Scorecard: (click to embiggen)
()
Dodgers Scorecard: (click to embiggen)
()
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist