Betts hits 2 HRs, Kershaw beats Yankees for 1st time in Dodgers’ 8-4 win

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Although Clayton Kershaw has achieved nearly all the things it’s attainable to do on a baseball mound throughout his 16-year profession, he had by no means overwhelmed the New York Yankees till Friday evening.

The feat bought an entire lot much less daunting after the Los Angeles Dodgers staked him to a six-run lead within the first inning, and Kershaw sat on that cushion all the way in which to a different milestone victory.

Kershaw racked up 9 strikeouts over seven innings of four-hit ball, and Mookie Betts hit two extra homers within the Dodgers’ resounding 8-4 win to open this high-profile interleague sequence.

Betts hit his second straight leadoff homer and an RBI single throughout Los Angeles’ eight-hit first inning towards Luis Severino, and Kershaw (7-4) didn’t falter regardless of permitting early homers by Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson, who each returned from prolonged damage absences.

“Feels good to pitch good – definitely better than the last few,” Kershaw stated. “And when we score six in the first inning, that’s a great way to pitch. It’s just trying to get our guys back in the dugout as quick as possible.”

Despite the homers, Kershaw confirmed marked enchancment after three uncharacteristically wild begins final month. He completed by retiring his remaining seven New York batters, incomes a standing ovation from Dodger Stadium after recording his remaining out.

He has now overwhelmed each workforce within the majors besides Baltimore. He has by no means confronted the Orioles, however the Dodgers are headed to Camden Yards subsequent month.

“That’s why he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Betts stated of Kershaw. “He gives us a chance to win every single night. I’m happy I’m a part of it.”

Betts completed 4 for 4 with a stroll and three RBIs in his second straight two-homer recreation for the NL-leading Dodgers.

A season-high 52,534 followers turned out for the most recent assembly between major-market powerhouses and former New York rivals which have met in 11 World Series. The Yankees are making simply their fifth journey to Chavez Ravine within the common season and their first since August 2019.

“The energy was a little different tonight,” stated Betts, who hit the forty first leadoff homer of his profession. “I think the schedule, bringing in teams like that, letting everybody see (Aaron) Judge, Stanton, their whole lineup, is super-cool. It’s fun to play in games like this.”

Donaldson hit two homers in his first recreation since April 5 for the Yankees, who’ve misplaced two straight after a four-game profitable streak. Stanton and Donaldson, who hit a 446-foot shot within the second and a two-run homer within the ninth, had each been sidelined since April with hamstring accidents, however their energy wasn’t almost sufficient.

“Felt nice to have some pretty quality ABs today,” Donaldson stated. “Obviously, it’s been frustrating not being able to play, but I can’t really do too much about that anymore. Hopefully I’ll put my best foot forward moving forward.”

Max Muncy added a two-run homer within the first, whereas J.D. Martinez homered and singled to increase his hitting streak to 16 video games for the Dodgers. Betts hit his second homer within the sixth, and his eighth-inning single supplied one final probability for Freddie Freeman to increase his 20-game hit streak – however the NL’s Player of the Month for May hit a 99-mph lineout to shortstop and completed 0 for five.

Severino (0-1) wanted 34 pitches to get out of the primary inning whereas permitting eight batted balls quicker than 94 mph. He recovered and bought by way of 4 innings, however his fastball averaged simply 95 mph, down considerably from his season common.

“Just some leaking over the heart of the plate,” supervisor Aaron Boone stated. “They had some hard contact in that inning, but just some fastballs that leaked back over a little bit, and Muncy put a good swing on a changeup away. He settled in to give us something there, which is good, but obviously a tough one in the first.”

UNFAMILIAR PLACE

Los Angeles’ Jason Heyward had two hits whereas taking part in in left area for the primary time in his 1,623-game main league profession, which he has spent predominantly in proper area. Heyward stated he hadn’t performed an inning in left area since spring coaching in 2009.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: CF Greg Allen left within the eighth with hip flexor ache, Boone stated. He may very well be headed to the injured record. … Carlos Rodón had a 30-pitch bullpen session. He has been out since spring coaching as a result of a sore left forearm and a again damage, however the $162 million left-hander needs to be able to face dwell hitters quickly.

Dodgers: Struggling Noah Syndergaard will keep within the Dodgers’ rotation for his subsequent begin Wednesday, supervisor Dave Roberts stated. Syndergaard has a 6.54 ERA, however says he’s wholesome.

UP NEXT

Gerrit Cole (6-0, 2.93 ERA) takes the mound in his native Southern California towards the Dodgers’ Michael Grove (0-1, 8.44 ERA), who will make his first look since April as a result of a groin pressure.

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