Clayton Kershaw day by day: Reaching 100 wins

Clayton Kershaw’s two career starts on May 15 came five years apart, both against divisional opponents. In the latter game, Kershaw reached a milestone.

His first such game was in 2010 in San Diego, facing Kevin Correia and the Padres. San Diego got to Kershaw in the first inning for a run, but after that he allowed only two hits and a walk, facing two over the minimum.

Those first inning walks were a thing for Kershaw early in the 2010 season. From my game recap, “He got out of the inning allowing just one run, but he has allowed eight walks in eight first innings this season.”

Kershaw lasted seven innings for the win in this one, striking out seven in his 59th career start. Five years later, Kershaw was making his 217th career start, this one at home against the Rockies in 2015.

This was also Kershaw’s second straight start against the Rockies. In the previous one, on otherwise spotless start was marred by one huge inning. This one was more of the same, with the Dodgers leading 6-0 until the seventh inning, when Colorado scored three against Kershaw and four in the inning to inch closer.

The Dodgers held on to win, 6-4, and Kershaw reached a milestone in the win. From my game recap:

Kershaw allowed four hits and three walks in 6⅔ innings, earning his second win of the season and 100th of his career. Kershaw struck out 10, the 31st double-digit strikeout game of his career, and second this season. He matched a season high with 110 pitches, the same number he threw on Sunday in Colorado.

The outings

2010 (W, 3-2): 7 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts

2015 (W, 2-2): 6 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts

Up next: No May 16 starts for Kershaw, so we’ll be back on Sunday with a busy day