Clayton Kershaw (37, Los Angeles Dodgers), who was the best pitcher in Major League Baseball in the 2010s, is feeling the passage of time. He missed his first win of the season due to bullpen struggles, but he found significance in pitching 5 innings for the first time this season.

Kershaw started the game against the Cleveland Guardians in Ohio on the 29th (Korean time), pitching 5 innings, allowing 6 hits.

After leading 3-1, Kershaw left the game in a situation where he could have secured his first win since Aug. 19 of last year against the St. Louis Cardinals (6 innings, no runs) after 283 days, but the bullpen's struggles led to 5 runs in the 8th inning, preventing a win. He was satisfied to lower his season earned run average from 7.50 to 4.91.

Kershaw, who suffered a left big toe injury in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 31 last year, which derailed his postseason appearances, underwent surgery on his left knee after the season. He went under the knife again to extend his career and re-signed with the Dodgers for one year at $7.5 million in guaranteed money, with a maximum contract worth $16 million, including incentives.

After rehabilitation, he returned to the game against the Los Angeles Angels on the 18th. In his return game, he had a poor performance with 4 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 walks, and 5 runs, but on the 24th against the New York Mets, he pitched 2 innings with 1 walk and 1 strikeout, achieving a no-hitter. The game was interrupted for over 1 hour and 30 minutes due to rain, but he found his pitching rhythm, and on this third appearance, he managed to go 5 innings.

The start of the game in the first inning was shaky. After one out, he allowed a double to Angel Martinez, followed by a one-run single to José Ramírez, giving up the first run. It was a double, but left fielder Andy Pahes made an accurate direct throw to catch Ramírez, helping Kershaw breathe a sigh of relief. He then allowed consecutive walks, creating a 2 outs, 1st and 2nd base crisis, but Jonkenzi Noel's well-hit ball turned into a line drive heading straight to center field, allowing him to finish the first inning without additional runs.

In the second inning, he started by allowing a double to lead-off hitter Will Wilson, but Kershaw handled the next three batters with ease, and in the third inning, he induced a double play from Gabriel Arias with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd base, escaping the threat. After a three-up, three-down in the fourth inning, he conceded only one hit in the fifth, retiring the other three batters, completing 5 innings.

With a total pitch count of 74 by the end of the fifth, Kershaw possibly could have gone another 1-2 innings, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts started the bullpen at the beginning of the sixth inning. Kershaw was struggling to go longer with his pitches. He threw a four-seam fastball with a maximum speed of 90.6 mph (145.8 km), averaging 89.4 mph (143.9 km) along with sliders (24), curves (18), and splitters (4). Although he had 9 swings and misses, none were on the four-seam fastball.

If it had been Kershaw at his peak, a switch after 5 innings and 1 run on 74 pitches would have been unthinkable. However, Kershaw, past his prime, enduring with a maximum speed of 146 km, is realistically aware of his situation.

In an interview with local media, including 'SportsNet LA', Kershaw said, “It was a really tough game. (In the first inning) Pahes' catch was huge. Thanks to that, I was able to minimize the runs.” He added, “I am experiencing a few technical issues, but at critical moments, I managed to throw decent pitches to get through 5 innings.”

Kershaw continued, “I couldn’t go longer because I wasn’t pitching well. The bullpen had to pitch more innings.” He noted the frustration but acknowledged that there was some progress. “It’s positive that I only gave up 1 run despite not pitching well. Just like last year, old habits showed up when I’m not in good condition. After surgery last year, I hadn’t pitched for a while, and those habits crept back; it seems like a growing pain. I feel good physically and I need to adjust while continuing to pitch. It’s an issue that requires time and repetition,” expressing confidence that he will improve with more games.

Manager Roberts also said, “It wasn’t Kershaw’s best outing, but he minimized the damage and fought through 5 innings. He improved as the game went on, and he gave us a chance to win.” With starting pitchers Blake Snell (shoulder inflammation), Tyler Glasnow (shoulder inflammation), and Roki Sasaki (shoulder collision) all on the injured list, Kershaw enduring through 5 innings provided great support for the Dodgers.

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