Hill will make it two left-handers in a row against the Marlins after three-time Cy Young Award victor Clayton Kershaw worked three innings in his first appearance since June 26.TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet Los Angeles, FSN Florida (Miami) PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (11-3, 1.94 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (9-10, 3.87) Hill carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning last time out against San Diego and wound up allowing one hit while registering eight strikeouts over six scoreless frames to improve to 8-0 over his last 10 starts.
Advertisement
The left-hander had not started since June 26 because of a mild disk herniation. “I was averaging 20-plus pitches an inning, so regardless if the pitch count was in effect or not, it probably would have been a short night”, Kershaw said after the game. Bruschi places blame on officials for not protecting NewtonWojchiechowski says atmosphere “crazy’ for Tennessee-Virginia TechNFLPA takin”. He’s thrown 19 scoreless innings over three starts for the team, allowing just six hits and two walks.
Roberts opted to pull Hill after the seventh inning – the second time in his rookie season as manager that Roberts has pulled a starting pitcher in the midst of a no-hitter.
Kershaw (11-3) threw 66 pitches, 46 for strikes.
“We have been dealing with Richie’s blister and that caused him to miss a lot of time this season”.
Kershaw wasn’t overjoyed with the outing, the three-time Cy Young Award victor and 2014 NL MVP shrugging off notions that it was essentially a rehab or spring start to get his arm ready for the stretch run. Asked whether it was realistic for him to regain his old form after a 75-day lull, Kershaw said, “I don’t get that luxury”. “While there might be some rough spots for me at times, there really can’t be”.
Kershaw’s breaking pitches, in particular, did not have their usual bite and he acknowledged “I was in the middle of the plate more than I should be”. Dee Gordon had the Marlins’ only other hit, a broken-bat infield single in the ninth inning. “Luckily, we were able to come through with two hits”.
The Dodgers now lead the NL West.
“For Clayton to be back on the mound, I think that’s a win for us”, Roberts said. And so … yeah, if he would have been three, four innings scoreless, six punch (outs) – that would have been great.
The Dodgers had opportunities against Fernandez early in the game. His two-run drive in the seventh put Washington up 4-1.
Advertisement
All five were stranded as the Dodgers went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position against Fernandez. Kershaw allowed a pair of runs in those two innings, and Jose Fernandez struck out everyone.
