Clayton Kershaw recorded 13 starts, allowed just one run and left his start Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks to a standing ovation, a fitting end to an encouraging comeback for the iconic Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander.
Kershaw, pitching for the first time since he closed with elbow inflammation more than two months ago, recorded five attacks and allowed five base players in 4⅓ innings at Dodger Stadium.
His fast ball averaged less than 90 mph, but generated eight laps combined with his two break balls and seemed to be sharper as his start progressed.
Kershaw, 33 and finishing the final season of his contract, is made up of at least three more starts this regular season and should be pulled as a traditional starting pitcher in October, when he will join Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias to help compose a devastating postseason rotation (assuming the Dodgers, 2½ games behind the San Francisco Giants, can advance to the National League Division Series).
Kershaw, six days from his start to rehabilitation in the minor leagues, allowed his only run in two strokes and a walk in the first inning. He then retired on the 10th of 12 and came out after pitching his 50th pitch.