Clayton Kershaw became the first pitcher since 2002 to record 300 strikeouts and the NL West Champion Los Angeles Dodgers ended the season on a high note with a 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres to complete the three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium.
Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Chris Heisey all homered for the Dodgers as they finished the season with 187 homers, one more than the Colorado Rockies for the most in the National League. It was the first time since 1983 that Los Angeles led the league in homers.
"All year long, we never felt like we were a home run hitting club, but we kept hitting home runs," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Hopefully, we're able to continue to put enough runs on the board, if home runs are a part of that, I hope we hit enough to win games."
Kershaw became the 34th different pitcher in MLB history to reach the 300-strikeout club in a single season when he struck out Melvin Upton Jr. to end the third inning.
Congratulations, @ClaytonKersh22! #KERSHAW300 pic.twitter.com/2DzogAtMNh — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 4, 2015
Kershaw allowed just two hits, striking out seven in 3.2 shutout innings and became the third pitcher in the millennium to record 300 strikeouts joining Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling who both reached the feat in 2002.
"It's definitely a cool thing. Obviously not the most important thing in the world, but definitely something looking back, that is pretty cool," Kershaw said of the milestone.
Wearing a Tommy Lasorda jersey, guest manager Jimmy Rollins, yanked Kershaw from the game in the top of the fourth inning after he reached 60 pitches.
"It was a little touch and go," Rollins said of removing Kershaw from the game. "Honey [Rick Honeycutt] and I were thinking '299 strikeouts, when he gets two strikes, do we go get him?' Fortunately, he got through the inning and got to 301."
The reigning NL MVP and Cy Young Award winner seemed genuinely amused when his teammate took the ball from him, and left the field to a standing ovation by the home fans.
"I wasn't going to give Jimmy a hard time on his first day," Kershaw said. "The fans knew what was going on, so anytime someone recognizes my accomplishment its a good feeling."
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Pederson hit a two-run home run in the second inning to put the Dodgers on the board. Pederson completes his rookie campaign with 26 homers and 54 RBIs, the second most by a Dodger rookie since Mike Piazza in 1993.
Los Angeles kicked a field goal in the sixth inning, putting up three runs on the board thanks to homers by Seager and Heisey.
Seager finishes the season with a .323 batting average, four homers, and 17 RBIs in 26 starts with the Dodgers.
"I came in here with no expectations," Seager said of his first month in the majors. "It's nice to be in the playoffs and have something to look forward to. We'll see how far we can go."
Heisey on the other hand, ended a disappointing inaugural year with the Boys in Blue with two home runs in his final 10 games of the season, including a grand slam against the Diamondbacks last Thursday at Dodger Stadium.
Ronald Torreyes recorded his first career RBI with a two-out single that scored Pederson in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Guest pitching coach, Kenley Jansen, called to the bullpen in the ninth inning, bringing in Chris Hatcher who pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season.
"It was fun," Jansen said of being the pitching coach. "I was bored at times though."
The Padres battled back in the seventh inning with a three-run homer by rookie Travis Jankowski. It was the outfielders second home run of the season since he was called up on Sept. 1.
San Diego ends the 2015 season with a disappointing sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, their first since Sept. 1, 2013. After a busy offseason saw a rebuilt roster by A.J. Preller, the Padres had high expectations and many predicted they would win the NL West. Instead, they finished 74-88, three games behind their 2014 total.
Los Angeles finishes the season 92-70, their third consecutive year with at least 90 wins. With the win, the Dodgers secured the best home winning percentage by any team in franchise history (55-26).
Los Angeles will return to Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 9th for game one of the NLDS against the New York Mets as they seek to reach the World Series for the first time since 1988.
Game Notes:
Zack Greinke was honored before the game as the recipient of the Roy Campanella award. An honor bestowed upon the best Dodger player who exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the Hall of Fame catcher.
Kershaw and Greinke combined this season to post a 1.90 ERA, the lowest ERA by two teammates since 1968 (Bob Gibson and Ray Washburn).
The Dodgers led the majors in attendance with 3,764,815. It was the third highest attendance total in franchise history as they averaged 46,479 per game this season.
