No K's for Kershaw a career first: 'Got to pitch better'

SAN DIEGO -- Clayton Kershaw’s first start back from the injured list last week reminded everyone how much of a boost the Dodgers get when the left-hander takes the mound.

When the likely future Hall of Famer is on the mound, there’s usually a different buzz around the stadium. It’s been that way for nearly two decades.

His second start of the 2024 season, however, served as a reminder that it might take Kershaw some time to rediscover his form after undergoing offseason left shoulder surgery, the first surgical procedure he’s had in his illustrious career.

On Wednesday night, Kershaw struggled to get anything going and allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits over 3 2/3 innings in the Dodgers’ 8-1 loss to the Padres at Petco Park. It was also the first regular-season start of Kershaw’s career in which he failed to record at least one strikeout, snapping a string of 423 consecutive starts with a K.

(That does not include the postseason. Kershaw recorded only one out -- not a strikeout -- in NLDS Game 1 against the D-backs last fall.)

“There were a lot of things I was missing,” Kershaw said. “I mean, honestly, I felt pretty good with the last one overall. But this one, obviously, this was really bad. I didn’t think there was rust, but maybe. I don’t know. Just got to pitch better.”

The night got off to a good start for Kershaw. He needed only nine pitches to get through the first inning, working around a fielding error by second baseman Gavin Lux. In the second, however, the Padres turned it on against Kershaw, and they never looked back.

A one-out rally got the Padres on the board in the second and a fielding error from Kershaw on a Bryce Johnson safety squeeze extended the inning. In the fourth, Kershaw allowed a solo homer to Luis Campusano and two more runs came around to score in the frame.

‘“I gotta make that play,” Kershaw said. “That was an easy out at home right there. The bunt was right back to me. Have to make that play, and the inning’s a lot different. That’s on me. That was super easy. That was a super frustrating mistake there.”

What was perhaps more concerning than Kershaw’s final line was the fact Kershaw didn’t have any swing-and-miss stuff to lean on Wednesday. Kershaw got his first swing and miss of the night on his 23rd pitch. His second didn’t come until pitch No. 81 against Xander Bogaerts on an 83 mph changeup. The two whiffs are tied for the fewest in an outing in Kershaw’s career.

"You give them credit,” Kershaw said. “They did a good job. Some of that's on me, too, for sure."

Kershaw’s four-seamer had an average velocity of 89.6 mph, a whole tick below where he was last season. His slider, which he got one whiff on 34 pitches, also had a dip of 0.9 mph.

“I think it’s hard to ever bet against Clayton,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “The last [start], I thought, was very good. And tonight just wasn’t great. I think he’ll be the first to say that. But it’s part of the process. I just don’t think that anyone can expect him to come back and be lights-out every start out, certainly after two starts.”

With Kershaw being the latest to struggle, the Dodgers’ starting rotation had a forgettable July. In 24 games this month, Dodgers starters posted a 5.09 ERA. The bullpen has also struggled during that stretch. That combination sunk the Dodgers to an 11-13 month, their first losing month since April 2018.

A month ago, the National League West looked to be on ice for the Dodgers. With just 53 games left in the season, odds are the Dodgers will still bring home the division for the 11th time in 12 seasons with just 53 games left in the season. But after the two games in San Diego, it has become a much closer race than anticipated, as the lead has shrunk to 4.5 games, the closest it has been since May 4.

“It’s a long year,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said. “There’s going to be tough times. There’s going to be good times, which there have been this year. So, yeah, it’s part of it. We’ll come out of it. No doubt about it. We’re the Dodgers. We’re the best team in baseball.”