Clayton Kershaw Throws His First Career No-Hitter Against Rockies
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Everyone knew it was only a matter of when reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw would throw the first no-hitter of his career.
On Wednesday night, Kershaw was flawless, throwing a no-hitter with a career-high of 15 strikeouts and leading the Dodgers past the Colorado Rockies 8-0.
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"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."
The game would have been perfect if it weren't for Hanley Ramirez's error in the seventh inning, where he bobbled a grounder off Colorado's Corey Dickerson.
In the seventh inning, the two-time Cy Young winner had a huge lift from his defense after Miguel Rojas preserved the no-hit bid by making a sensational backhand play off a Troy Tulowitzki grounder at third.
Hall-of-famer Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher who has had more strikeouts during a no-hitter, with 17 strikeouts in 1973 and 16 strikeouts in 1991.
The Dodgers now own the two no-hitters that have been thrown so far in the majors. Beckett threw the first no-no on May 25.
Amazing game from Clayton Kershaw for a no-hitter, said Mayor Garcetti on Twitter. "Let's go Dodgers."
Amazing game from Clayton Kershaw for a no-hitter! Let's go @Dodgers ! #greatsportsweek
— Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) June 19, 2014
Before the final out was made, the crowd of 46,069 was on its feet, cheering on the 26-year-old superstar from Texas.
Kershaw's no-hitter tonight is the 2nd this year for the #Dodgers the first was by Josh Beckett against the Phillies earlier in the season!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 19, 2014
When the Dodgers collected the ball, they took a picture and posted on twitter, 'Going to Cooperstown.' Priceless.
Going to Cooperstown: pic.twitter.com/9Bj4T8nbFS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2014