Clayton Kershaw pitches in professional game for first time in two months

Clayton Kershaw’s OKC outing

Clayton Kershaw appeared in his first professional outing in two months. He tossed three innings in Oklahoma City, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.

In the first inning, Kershaw allowed a single but tossed a scoreless inning. He threw 15 pitches and 11 were for strikes. The second inning was a little rough, as Kershaw allowed a single and then a home run. He then retired five of the next six batters, ending his night.

Kershaw spoke to the media following his outing:

“Felt alright, overall. Stuff wasn’t that great. But I did it, got through it. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow and go from there.

“I don’t think anybody loves doing rehab. The word rehab is not exactly great. But obviously health (is the No. 1 priority). But performance too. You want to be good. So, stuff wasn’t that great tonight, like I said, but being back out there felt good and hopefully bounce back tomorrow okay, throw a good bullpen and get ready to go for whatever’s next.

I think that will be a discussion. Not sure. I think I’ll get into St Louis tomorrow and talk with the guys, see what they want me to do. A lot of it is based on our rotation, what that looks like, different things like that. Obviously, I’m not built up for a full start yet so I think a lot of things are in consideration and we’ll see how it goes.”

Triple-A Oklahoma City

A guy named Clayton Kershaw pitched for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, as they beat the Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies) 8-7. Kershaw tossed three innings, throwing 49 pitches (34 strikes). He allowed two runs on four hits, striking out three.

OKC scored seven of their eight runs in the fourth inning. It started with a two-out rally, as Gavin Lux brought in two runs with a single. Lux finished the game with three hits and scored a run. He’s now reached base eight times in his last two games.

Sheldon Neuse, who was activated off the IL, drove in a run to put the Dodgers ahead 3-2. He had two hits and drove in two runs for the game. With the bases loaded, Matt Davidson hit a grand slam to put OKC up 7-2. For Davidson, it was his 23rd homer of the season.

Double-A Tulsa

It was a quiet night for the offense, as the Drillers fell to the Amarillo Sod Poodles (DBacks) 10-2.

Jose Martinez tossed 5 ²⁄₃ innings and got lit up. He allowed seven runs on 14 hits (!!!). I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen a pitcher allow 14 hits in an outing. If someone out there remembers that happening recently, send that info my way.

For the offense, there wasn’t much to talk about. Miguel Vargas and Justin Yurchak each had two hits, while James Outman hit his sixth homer of the season.

High-A Great Lakes

While there was no offense for the Drillers, there was plenty for the Loons as they defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) 18-7. The Loons scored five runs in three different innings and three runs in another inning.

We’ll start in the second inning, when their first five-run inning took place. Joe Vranesh, Johnny Deluca and Leonel Valera doubled in a run each. Andy Pages capped off the inning with a two-run single.

Pages drove in another run in the fourth inning with a double, putting GL up 6-0. After Carson Taylor drove in a run with a single, Eddys Leonard hit a three-run home run to put the Loons up 10-0. Great Lakes jumped back on the board in the seventh inning off the bat of a three-run homer from Valera, his 16th of the season.

Ryan January hit a two-run homer in the ninth and was followed by a home run from Jorbit Vivas.

Low-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes defeated the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) 6-4. Sam McWilliams and Imanol Vargas each hit a two-run home run in the first inning to quickly put Rancho ahead. Jose Ramos homered to give them an insurance run in the ninth inning.

A lot of 2021 draft picks pitched for the Quakes on Tuesday. Nick Nastrini started the game for Rancho. LA’s 4th rounder needed 30 pitches to record only two outs. He allowed two runs to score on a hit and had a walk and strikeout. Ryan Sublette, LA’s seventh rounder, relieved him and tossed 2 ¹⁄₃ hitless innings with a strikeout.

Following him was Emmet Sheehan, who was LA’s sixth round selection. He allowed one run in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings while striking out six. Sheehan now has 19 strikeouts in 9 ¹⁄₃ innings while with the Quakes. Ben Harris, LA’s eighth rounder, followed with one run and two strikeouts in 1 ¹⁄₃ innings of action.

Transactions

• Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of OF Steven Souza Jr. from Oklahoma City Dodgers
• Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RF Zach McKinstry to Oklahoma City Dodgers
• Oklahoma City Dodgers activated RHP Markus Solbach from the 60-day injured list
• OKC activated Sheldon Neuse from the 7-day injured list
• Tulsa Drillers sent RHP Yadier Alvarez on a rehab assignment to ACL Dodgers

Tuesday scores

• Oklahoma City 8, Albuquerque 7
• Amarillo 10, Tulsa 2
• Great Lakes 18, West Michigan 7
• Rancho Cucamonga 6, Inland Empire 4

Wednesday schedule

• 4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (TBA) at West Michigan (TBA)
• 5:05 p.m. PT: Tulsa (TBA) at Amarillo (TBA)
• 7:05pm. PT: Rancho Cucamonga (TBA) at Inland Empire (TBA)