Kershaw struck out Rafael Devers in the top of the fifth inning before exiting the game. Kershaw received a standing ovation after recording the out. The Dodgers earned a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants and also clinched a playoff spot.
‘It was such a special night,’ Kershaw said during a postgame interview with Apple TV. ‘I can’t even put into words how special tonight was for me. … Thank you for 18 years. It hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but you guys have stuck with me. We have another month to go.’
Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young winner, announced Thursday that he would be retiring at the end of the 2025 season, which gave fans precious little time to scramble and buy tickets for the contest at Chavez Ravine. One of the greatest pitchers – lefty or otherwise – in Major League Baseball history, Kershaw has a 222-96 career record.
At 20 years old, Kershaw struck out the first major league batter, Skip Schumaker of the St. Louis Cardinals, whom he faced on May 25, 2008, at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw and the Dodgers didn’t get the victory that day, but the pitcher struck out seven and allowed two runs in six innings pitched.
Kershaw will likely continue to play for the Dodgers during the postseason, but what his role will be remains uncertain.
“I still feel there is a role for him, a spot for him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday.
The Dodgers’ offense supported Kershaw’s effort Friday, starting with back-to-back home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Ohtani hit a three-run home run to left field, which gave the Dodgers their first lead of the game. Betts followed it up with a solo homer the next at-bat to take a 5-2 lead.
The Giants attempted a late comeback with two runners on base and the tying run at the plate before pitcher Tanner Scott and Betts helped record the final outs of the game.
Clayton Kershaw highlights: Giants vs. Dodgers
What Clayton Kershaw said after game
Dodgers clinch playoff berth
Final: Dodgers 6, Giants 3
Migual Rojas scored his second run of the evening after Andy Pages hit a double in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Dodgers lead the Giants 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Matt Chapman singled to center in the top of the seventh inning, bringing in Willy Adames to score. The Giants were unable to rally in the ninth inning while the Dodgers had Tanner Scott on the mound.
Clayton Kershaw stats vs. Giants
Innings pitched: 4.1
Hits allowed: 4
Runs: 2
Earned Runs: 2
Walks: 4
Strikeouts: 6
Home Runs: 1
Pitch Count: 91
Strikes: 56
ERA: 3.55
Clayton Kershaw’s night is done
Clayton Kershaw struck out Rafael Devers in the top of the fifth inning before exiting the game. Kershaw received a standing ovation from Magic Johnson and the rest of the crowd at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw thanked the crowd while holding his hat in the air. He would hug everyone in the dugout before coming back out for a curtain call.
The Dodgers’ offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth inning to support Kershaw’s effort.
Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run home run to left field, providing the Dodgers with their first lead of the game. Mookie Betts hit a solo home run the next at-bat. The Dodgers lead the Giants 5-2.
Kershaw gets through the fourth inning
Clayton Kershaw caught Willy Adames swinging to record another strikeout and send the game to the bottom of the fourth inning.
Kershaw threw over 20 pitches in the inning. He allowed a hit to Patrick Bailey, who singled to center field.
The Giants remain in front of the Dodgers 2-1.
Roberts indicated in an interview on Apple TV during the top of the fourth inning that he’s monitoring Kershaw’s performance closely.
“I’m watching him closely,” Roberts said. “… Given the emotion of yesterday, he’s not as sharp (tonight). The pitch count (70) is higher than we would like.”
Kershaw is expected to come back out in the fifth inning. There was activity in the bullpen late in the fourth inning.
Giants score in third inning
Kershaw struck out Rafael Devers before Matt Chapman hit a double to center the next at-bat.
Chapman scores after Wilmer Flores singles to center. The Giants take a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning.
Kershaw throws a hitless second inning
Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers get out of the top of the second inning without allowing a run. Heliot Ramos and Willy Adames hit back-to-back pop-ups that were caught by Mookie Betts to get out of the inning.
Miguel Rojas hit a 402-foot solo home run to left-center field in the bottom of the second inning to even the score for the Dodgers at 1. Andy Pages bangs one off the wall in left centerfield for a double on the very next pitch.
Clayton Kershaw allows home run to first batter
Heliot Ramos hit a solo home run 431 feet over the fence in center field on Kershaw’s third pitch of the game. The Giants take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Kershaw struck out two and walked one in the inning. Seventeen of his 23 pitches were strikes.
The Dodgers pitcher became the all-time leader in strikeouts against the Giants’ franchise with 417, passing Warren Spahn (416).
Clayton Kershaw acknowledged by fans ahead of game
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw walked out of the dugout and onto the mound for his warm-up in the final minutes before the game started. Kershaw received a warm welcome from the crowd and gave them a wave. His teammates stayed in the dugout so the pitcher could have his moment.
Dodgers lineup vs. Giants
Giants lineup vs. Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw arrives for final regular-season home start
Where to watch Dodgers vs. Giants on Apple TV
The Dodgers vs. Giants game Friday night will air on Apple TV+ with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.
Watch Dodgers-Giants on Apple TV+
Dodgers vs. Giants odds
Clayton Kershaw stats
222-96 career record in 2844 ⅔ innings
3,039 strikeouts
2014 National League MVP
2011, 2013 and 2014 NL Cy Young winner
How many rings does Clayton Kershaw have?
Kershaw has won two World Series rings with the Los Angeles Dodgers – in 2020 and 2024.
The Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series, with Kershaw winning two games in the Fall Classic at the end of the COVID-shortened season. In 2024, the left-hander was injured and unable to pitch in the Dodgers’ postseason run that culminated with a World Series win over the New York Yankees.
San Francisco Giants congratulate Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw’s former teammates in attendance
Several of Kershaw’s former teammates have been spotted around Dodger Stadium before he takes the mound for his final regular-season home start. The former players included Andre Ethier, Austin Barnes, Trayce Thompson, Russell Martin and AJ Pollock.
Kershaw’s childhood friend and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was also in attendance for the game.