Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Perfect Game Cut Short
MINNEAPOLIS -- Clayton Kershaw was in prime form -- call it perfect -- in his season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving no concern about his health after facing no resistance from the Minnesota Twins.
When the time came for manager Dave Roberts to relieve him, Kershaw didn't put up a fight either.
Kershaw took a perfect game through seven innings for the Dodgers until he was pulled after 80 pitches, dominating the Twins with 13 strikeouts in 21 batters during a 7-0 victory Wednesday.
"Those are selfish goals," Kershaw said. "We're trying to win. That's really all we're here for."
Roberts consulted with Kershaw after the sixth, and the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner told him his preference: one more inning with an 85-pitch limit.
Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux and Austin Barnes hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the eighth against reliever Dereck Rodriguez, who made his Twins debut.
Minnesota returns to action Friday beginning a 4-game series in Boston.
All season long Twins baseball is on ESPN102.3/AM 1000 KSOO.