Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw has been named National League Player of the Week after his two lights out performances to start the season.
At a time when the Dodgers' bats have struggled to find consistency, Kershaw, the team's ace, has at least done his part to shut down the opposition, going 2-0 in two starts and not allowing a single earned run in a Major League-high 16.0 innings of work. His 0.00 ERA ranked tied for first among Major League starters.
Kershaw even contributed offensively on Opening Day when he blasted a game-winning, eighth-inning homer in addition to throwing an efficient 94-pitch complete-game shutout in LA's 4-0 victory over rival San Francisco.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kershaw became just the second pitcher in Major League history to hit a home run and throw a shutout in his team’s season opener. Cleveland Indians hurler Bob Lemon first accomplished the feat in 1953.
In his second start Saturday against the Pirates, Kershaw allowed just two hits in 7 scoreless innings on the way to a 1-0 victory. In fact, the two-time All-Star has not allowed a run in his last 20.0 innings dating back to his final start of the 2012 season.
Other noteworthy performances last week included Atlanta’s Justin Upton (.318, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 1.045 SLG); John Buck (.400, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .750 SLG) of the New York Mets; Colorado’s Dexter Fowler (.370, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 10 H, 7 R, .414 OBP); Cincinnati’s Todd Frazier (.480, 12 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI, .920 SLG); Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt (.370, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .704 SLG) and Gerardo Parra (.400, 12 H, 4 R, .438 OBP); Philadelphia’s Cliff Lee (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 IP, 8 SO); and Washington’s Bryce Harper (.360, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 9 H, .760 SLG).
By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services
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