LOS ANGELES On Wednesday night, Clayton Kershaw retired Chicago White Sosa on three pitches for his 2,999th strikeout in the fifth inning. This brings his career total of strikeouts in his 18-year career—all with the Los Angeles Dodgers—to just under 3,000.
Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Clayton’s career is coming to an end. He has never sought attention or recognition of any kind, but whether he likes it or not, he has earned it.
Sosa ended the inning by striking out on a curveball that was traveling at 72 mph after fouling off Kershaw’s opening two offerings.
Kershaw entered the game with three strikeouts needed to reach 3,000, making him the 20th pitcher in history to do so.
Miguel Vargas missed another 72-mph curveball from his old Dodgers colleague in the third inning after taking called strikes on his first two pitches.
Chicago led 4-2 after five innings as Kershaw gave up a two-run homer to Austin Slater and two more runs as the White Sox batted hard at him.
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Link: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb AP MLB
