Dodgers Defeat Rangers 10-2: Kershaw K’s 11, Game Notes & Scouting Takeaways

Dodgers Pitching

The Dodgers pitching staff had a day to be proud of. Kershaw had the type of day that lets you know baseball is back. From a pitcher’s point of view, it’s hard to top 11 strikeouts across six shutout innings during Spring Training. His best pitch of the day was his slider, as it was reponsible for eight of Kershaw’s 11 Ks. He kept batters out of rhythm all day, allowing just three baserunners. The Rangers lineup couldn’t even get one extra-base hit off Kershaw, managing just two singles. Those singles were no cheap hits though, as Nomar Mazara and Mike Napoli each squared up a solid knock against the perennial Cy Young candidate.

Relievers

Ike Davis was brought in to hit for Kershaw, and lefty Grant Dayton was called upon to take over. Dayton, who impressed in his 26.1-inning debut in 2016, pitched a smooth seventh inning. He induced a fly ball, a weak ground ball and struck out first baseman Drew Robinson. The eighth inning was a little more interesting, courtesy of Brandon Morrow. Morrow gave up two hits, but still managed two strikeouts and a ground out to end the threat. He went back out for the bottom of the ninth with a 10-run lead, and induced a ground ball to lead things off.

An error by shortstop Drew Jackson allowed the runner to reach base, but Morrow induced another grounder to short. This one was milliseconds from being a double play, but Doug Bernier beat out the throw to first. The Dodgers brought in Joe Broussard, who gave up a two-run shot to Drew Robinson on a fastball down the middle, on his very first pitch no less. Broussard has strong minor league numbers, but will have to do better than that.