LOS ANGELES – Clayton Kershaw pitched his first no-hitter Wednesday night, striking out a career-high 15 and allowing his only baserunner on a throwing error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 8-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Kershaw’s gem gave the Dodgers the only two no-hitters in the majors this season. Josh Beckett tossed one May 25 in Philadelphia.
“I am so amazed,” Kershaw said. “Beckett told me he was going to teach me how to do that, so I have Josh to thank.”
Cheered on by his wife in the stands, Kershaw (7-2) retired his first 18 batters before Corey Dickerson led off the seventh with a slow bouncer to Ramirez. His throw on the run went wide past first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for a two-base error — ending any chance for a perfect game.
But that was it for Colorado against Kershaw, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner. And he came oh-so-close to throwing the 22nd perfect game since 1900.
With the crowd of 46,069 on its feet and roaring, the left-hander made quick work of the Rockies in the ninth.
DJ LeMahieu grounded out to first base on the first pitch of the inning and Charlie Culberson hit a lazy fly to right field on the next one.
Dickerson then got four straight strikes and went down swinging.
“As far as individual games go, this is really special. To do it at home is more amazing,” Kershaw said.
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