Clayton Kershaw named NL Pitcher of the Month for May

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May on Thursday, Major League Baseball announced.

Kershaw led the National League during the month in ERA (0.91), innings pitched (49⅔), strikeouts (65),and tied for second in the league lead in wins (5-0), all while walking only two batters. He allowed five total runs in six starts for the month.

His 65 strikeouts were the most ever by any MLB pitcher in a month with two or fewer walks. Kershaw's two walks were to David Wright on May 12 and Joey Votto on May 23.

Kershaw was the first pitcher with three shutouts in a calendar month since Felix Hernandez in August 2012.

This is the sixth time Kershaw has won NL Pitcher of the Month honors, the most ever by a Dodgers pitcher. This is also the earliest in the season Kershaw has ever captured the monthly honor, having previously won in June 2014, and July in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The NL Pitcher of the Month has been awarded since 1975. Other Dodgers to win it multiple times are Orel Hershiser (four times), Don Sutton (three times), Burt Hooton (three), Fernando Valenzuela (three) and Hideo Nomo.