Clayton Kershaw throws six scoreless in final start of season

Fittingly, Clayton Kershaw capped his 2019 campaign by throwing six scoreless innings, as the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 1-0. He struck out seven and walked only one, while allowing two hits. He’ll finish the season 16-5 with an ERA of 3.05, the highest it’s been for him since his rookie season in 2008.

The lone offense came in the sixth inning, when Max Muncy brought in Chris Taylor with an RBI single. For the most part, that was it. LA finished the game with only five hits, with two of them coming from Muncy.

Kershaw was relieved by Dustin May, who’s been making a strong case over the last few weeks to crack the postseason roster. He threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Over his last nine innings pitched, he hasn’t allowed a run while striking out 13 and issuing only one walk.

Adam Kolarek and Kenta Maeda combined to close things out, with Kolarek getting the first out and Maeda shutting the door to get his third save of the season. Maeda is the first pitcher since 2003 to have 10 wins and three saves in a season.

Thursday particulars

WP: Clayton Kershaw (16-5) 6 IP, 7 SO, 0 ER

LP: Joey Lucchesi (10-10) 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 SO

SV: Kenta Maeda (3) 1 IP, 1 SO

Box score

Up next

The Dodgers travel to San Francisco for the final series of the year. Walker Buehler will get the start for LA tomorrow. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. PT.