Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Discusses His Latest Brush with Perfection

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw nearly threw a perfect game against the Angels, but comes up short in the eighth inning
Ryan Menzie|
Oct 8, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) wears an NLDS hat over his team hat after their win over the San Diego Padres after game three of the 2020 NLDS at Globe Life Field. The Los Angeles Dodgers won 12-3 to sweep the San Diego Padres. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

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To be in conversation with an all-time Dodgers pitcher like Sandy Koufax will make anyone feel special. For current Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, he was one inning away from being immortalized with one of his idols. 

The future Hall-of-Fame pitcher with nine All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP, a World Series ring, and a no-hitter, was chasing the perfect game against the Angels. With the first at-bat in the eighth inning, Angels shortstop Luis Rengifo hits a double to officially end Kershaw's shot at perfection.

Kershaw spoke of what the moment was like leading up into the eighth inning (quotes via OC Register)

“After like the sixth inning, you kind of feel the crowd getting into it. Once you get to the seventh inning, you get to the top of the order again, you feel like maybe you’ve got a chance at this. Just a bummer.”

Naturally when you're that close, for the second time in a season, to only being the second perfect game in Dodgers history and the 24th perfect game in MLB history, you will be bummed. Despite the disappointing in a huge blow-out win, Kershaw still praised his teammates after only allowing one hit in eight innings of play. 

“Honestly I should’ve given up four or five hits before they got that hit in the eighth there. The defense played unbelievable tonight. JT. Trea. They lined out right to some guys. Hanser made a great play. Just a lot of unbelievable plays all the way around.”

Kershaw still finishes with one of the best games of his career as the Dodgers steamrolled the Angels, 9-1. 

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Ryan Menzie
RYAN MENZIE

Ryan Menzie | Lead Contributor Ryan is an LA Native who has grown up praising the greatest athletes LA has had to offer. A love for sports ranging between basketball, football, volleyball and golf, a future Sports Management Masters graduate, and being engulfed into organized sports since seven years old, the passion and love for sports never ends for Ryan. If the words he writes don't paint the full picture of his true fandom, he will find more ways than one to tell the story and be more than willing to open up a nice LA sports debate with you. Favorite Player: Mookie Betts Favorite Moment: 2020 World Series. The Lakers won the NBA title and the Dodgers secured the World Series only a couple of months later. During such a rough time with COVID-19 and such a bleak look at how sports has tried to overcome the circumstances, it was a relief to see the night sky lit up for many nights and a makeshift parade in LA when it seemed like we needed it the most.

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