Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has thrown a no-hitter in his big-league career, but a perfect game would have been a true milestone achievement for his Cooperstown-bound resume. Kershaw was OK with passing up on a golden opportunity for that perfect game, though.
During Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, Kershaw was absolutely dealing. He pitched seven perfect innings with 13 strikeouts on 80 pitches. He was just six outs away from history, but the Dodgers opted to go to the bullpen instead.
Reliever Alex Vesia ended up allowing a hit and walking a batter, so the bid for a combined perfect game or no-hitter ended in the eighth inning. And while MLB fans were understandably upset about the decision to pull Kershaw, the Dodgers ace seemed to agree with the decision. He explained why to reporters after the game, which Los Angeles won, 7-0.
