Clayton Kershaw’s 2022 debut was perfect. The future Hall of Fame left-hander tossed seven perfect innings and struck out 13 in the Dodgers’ 6-0 win over the Twins at Target Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Kershaw was removed despite needing only 80 pitches to mow down 21 consecutive batters. Forty-one of Kershaw’s 80 pitches were sliders, of which Twins batters swung at 27 times and failing to make contact on 17 of those swings.
Clayton Kershaw threw 41 sliders out of 80 total pitches.
Twins swung at 27 of the sliders and missed 17 of them.
Incredible.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 13, 2022
There have been only 23 perfect games in MLB history and Kershaw didn’t get the chance to add one to his illustrious career, which includes three Cy Young awards, one MVP and eight trips to the All-Star Game.
With Kershaw out, the Dodgers turned to Alex Vesia, who got Jorge Polanco to ground out before Gary Sanchez singled and Max Kepler walked for what would be the only Twins baserunners of the day.
Offensively, the Dodgers were fueled by back-to-back-to-back home runs by Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux and Austin Barnes in the eighth inning. Max Muncy added a solo homer in the ninth.
BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK. pic.twitter.com/vyAwQFlHEV
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 13, 2022
The Twins (2-4) get a day off Thursday before starting a four-game series at Fenway Park against the Red Sox on Friday. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m.
