It’s not common to see Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw get pummeled on the mound like he did on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies.
But we are all human, including him, even if it doesn’t always seem like it.
Coors Field will also do that to your pitching line, to be fair: the future Hall of Famer surrendered six earned runs on nine hits in four innings of work against the Rox.
His control was also off: he struck out four hitters, but also surrendered four walks.
It was a day to forget for the left-hander, one that broke an impressive streak of five years.
“Clayton Kershaw has allowed 6+ earned runs for the first time since June 19, 2017 (vs Mets). That snaps a streak of 106 consecutive starts allowing 5 earned runs or less,” ESPN Stats & Info tweeted.
Clayton Kershaw has allowed 6+ earned runs for the first time since June 19, 2017 (vs Mets). That snaps a streak of 106 consecutive starts allowing 5 earned runs or less. pic.twitter.com/KrtYhsd619
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 29, 2022
To be fair, there isn’t much difference if a pitcher concedes five or six earned runs: his outing would be considered bad either way.
A Very Long Streak Comes To An End
But it was a very long, cool streak nonetheless.
It’s part of what makes Kershaw great: his ability to prevent irreparable damage.
He is very good not only at preventing runs, but also at avoiding baserunners.
There was too much traffic on the base paths on Tuesday, though: 13 baserunners in four innings will almost always result in a disastrous outing.
In any case, Kershaw will look to rebound in his next start, and there is no reason to think he can’t do it.
For the season, he still has a great 2.94 ERA and a 5-2 record in 49 frames.
His 51 strikeouts and 1.10 WHIP also tell us he is still a legitimate star.
It just wasn’t his day.
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