Kershaw back after 44 days, disappointed with fifth-inning exit…”It’s important to get to October healthy”

Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw, 35, made a successful comeback despite not going the distance.

Kershaw pitched five innings of three-hit ball against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California (USA) on 11 June, allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

Kershaw, who hadn’t pitched in more than a month due to a left shoulder injury, made his first start in 44 days since June 28, when he pitched six innings of one-hit ball with one walk and two strikeouts in a no-decision against Colorado. He threw 67 pitches and used a slider (27), four-seam (26), curve (11) and changeup (3). His fastball reached 92.2 miles per hour (148.4 km/h).

바카라사이트 Kershaw cruised through a scoreless fourth inning, but gave up a solo home run to Eleuris Montero in the top of the fifth on a three-pitch 84.8 mph (136.5 km/h) slider. The slider sailed a little too high up the middle and Montero didn’t miss it. Other than the home run, Kershaw did not allow a run on the night.

MLB.com, the official site of Major League Baseball, deemed Kershaw’s return a success, saying, “After missing more than a month with a shoulder injury, Kershaw looked little different than the pitcher who led the National League before the injury.”

“It’s great to be back,” Kershaw said. I’ve been wanting to play with my teammates for a while, and I’ve been wanting to help the team win, so it’s been great. It was good to be back on the field, it was good to be back in Dodger Stadium, and you don’t take opportunities like this for granted.”

Kershaw’s pitch count was low at 67 pitches (45 for strikes), but he emphasised the fact that he went five innings was more important. He only threw four innings in his last simulated game. “For the Dodgers, five innings was enough to get Kershaw, who hasn’t pitched in an official game since 28 June, back on track, but it’s important for him to be healthy through October,” MLB.com wrote.

Manager Dave Roberts, who admitted to watching Kershaw’s return from injury with bated breath, said, “I just thought we needed to make sure he was able to pitch consistently every five or six days. I know how much Kershaw wants to contribute to our team. I don’t think he needs to do it all. He only pitched five innings today. But we were able to score late in the game. All in all, it was a good day,” he said of Kershaw’s comeback.

Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw, 35, made a successful comeback despite not going the distance. Kershaw pitched five innings of three-hit ball against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California (USA) on 11 June, allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts. Kershaw, who hadn’t pitched in more than a month…