To Clayton Kershaw, however, that’s the whole charm of the statistic.
One number that reflects a teamwide effort. An individual accolade that, even in his case as a future Hall of Famer, transcends his personal success.
“There’s been a lot of pitchers that have pitched well but maybe don’t have the team behind them,” Kershaw said. “Just reflecting on that, and just thankful for being part of great teams, that’s what wins signify to me.”
That’s why the Dodgers’ 5-0 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium carried so much extra meaning for the 35-year-old left-hander, who picked up his 200th career win in dominant style and historic fashion.
Not only did Kershaw become the 117th major league pitcher to reach the 200-victory club, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, but he got there with a higher career winning percentage (.694) than any other member, improving his career regular-season record to 200-88.
Not only did he move into 22nd place on baseball’s all-time strikeout list with nine Tuesday night, but in the process he joined Don Sutton and Don Drysdale as the only Dodgers pitchers with 200 career wins.
Most of all, Kershaw and the Dodgers (9-9) came through on a night in which they needed an early-season win, able to serenade their longtime ace with a champagne toast after getting back to .500 following a 3-7 skid.
“That’s why tonight is really cool,” a smiling Kershaw said afterward. “Because it’s a team stat, a win.”
Kershaw was the biggest catalyst on a night the Dodgers in which were playing without star right fielder Mookie Betts (paternity list), catcher Will Smith (concussion) and utility man Chris Taylor (side), absences that left their already inconsistent lineup looking woefully thin.
He started his night with a confident bang, striking out three straight batters after right fielder Jason Heyward dropped a fly ball from the leadoff hitter for a three-base error.
Kershaw then ended his outing with a primal shout, clenching his fists after escaping his one and only jam in the top of the seventh inning.
Manager Dave Roberts called the milestone a “very significant” moment for the 16th-year pitcher.
“I think it’s all relative to the generation of player, and in this particular case, starters aren’t being used like they have been,” Roberts said. “But Clayton has withstood the test of time and performed at a very high level.”
Catcher Austin Barnes echoed those sentiments, providing one of the toasts Kershaw that reluctantly received during the postgame celebration.
“Two-hundred wins is so many wins,” Barnes said. “It’s a special, special accomplishment. He’s a special pitcher. He’s not even really that old, but he’s been doing it for a long time. He’s been pitching a lot. He has a lot of miles, and he’s thrown a lot of big games.”
Kershaw used all his weapons during his spotless 105-pitch tear.
He located fastballs to the top and the bottom of the zone, compensating for his long-ago decreased velocity with an unwavering ability to dial in his command.
He got awkward whiffs on big, looping curveballs. He buried a barrage of sliders down and in.
Through the first six innings, the only hit he surrendered was an infield single. After a pair of early home runs from J.D. Martinez, he cruised with a three-run lead.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Finally, in the top of the seventh, Kershaw extinguished the biggest threat from the Mets (11-7)
With two outs in the inning, Mark Canha won a 13-pitch battle with a single. Jeff McNeil followed with another base hit.
As Tommy Pham came to the plate, Kershaw circled the mound and settled his emotions, breathing heavily beneath the brim of a sweat-stained cap.
Then, the face of the Dodgers franchise authored the night’s most signature moment, uncorking a full-count slider that Pham helplessly fanned at to end the inning.
Already on their feet, 46,884 fans roared in appreciation. And as he stomped off the mound, it was a fired-up Kershaw who bellowed what was surely the ballpark’s loudest scream.
“The wins … mean more to him because it’s longevity,” Roberts said. “Clayton respects people that do things for a long period of time. And, you know, lightning strikes on a lot of people. Stars align to have a good year or a good couple of years. But to have [the] amount of strikeouts that he has and to have 200 wins, I think that, for him, that’s something that he values, and he should.”
Mookie Betts on paternity list
Betts missed Tuesday’s game after being put on the paternity list, but he is expected to rejoin the team Wednesday. The only twist, Roberts said, is Betts could play second base or shortstop — the latter representing a new potential position for the star.
“He’s been clamoring for quite some time,” Roberts said. “So we’ll see how it plays out.”
The need for another shortstop arose after Taylor was removed from Monday’s game because of a side injury. For now, Taylor isn’t going on the injured list. Roberts, however, said it remains a possibility, especially after utility man Luke Williams was recalled to replace Betts on Tuesday.
In a corresponding move, reliever Daniel Hudson was transferred to the 60-day IL, meaning he won’t return from last season’s torn anterior cruciate ligament until at least June.
Will Smith’s return TBD
Roberts said Smith, who is on the seven-day IL, won’t immediately return to action when eligible Thursday and remains uncertain to play during the upcoming series in Chicago against the Cubs.
“We’re still a ways out, for me,” Roberts said.
Staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report.