We’re in a new era.
Clayton Kershaw was two innings away from tossing the 24th perfect game in MLB history. Then his day was over.
Manager Dave Roberts made the decision to pull the future Hall of Famer after just 80 pitches, a limit that the team has set for Kershaw who missed more than two months in 2021 with inflammation in his left forearm.
Kershaw said postgame that he agreed with the Roberts’ decision to pull him, and that he isn’t ready to throw 100 pitches yet.
“Blame it on the lockout, blame it on me not picking up a baseball until January,” Kershaw said in the clubhouse.
As fate would have it, the Dodgers immediately gave up a hit in the next inning, when Alex Vesia gave up a single to Gary Sanchez.
The Dodgers won the game 7-0 and have started the season 3-2.