Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
The baseball world watched Friday night as Clayton Kershaw made his first start since recovering from a herniated disc that had sidelined him since June 26. Despite the long layoff, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has seemed almost superhuman the past few seasons, and many fans probably expected to see a dominating pitching performance.
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They watched a dominant performance — but it came from Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez, who completely shut down the Dodgers.
Fernandez struck out 14 batters in seven scoreless innings, giving up three hits and three walks. The performance dropped his ERA below 3.00 for the season (2.90) and the Marlins' 4-1 victory runs his record to 14-8.
As for Kershaw, he got off to a rocky start, recovered nicely, but lasted only three innings.
Making his first start since coming off the DL, Kershaw retired Dee Gordon to start the game, but the next batter up, J.T. Realmuto, crushed a Kershaw slider off the scoreboard in left field for a homer.
In the second, Kershaw gave up a line-drive double to Jeff Francoeur, followed by a hard-hit RBI single by Chris Johnson.
Although Kershaw got out of both innings with no further damage, the extra work ran up his pitch count. After finishing a scoreless third inning, he had thrown 66 pitches, and the Dodgers brought in Louis Coleman.
Kershaw finished with those two earned runs in three innings. He struck out five, gave up five hits and did not walk anyone. Despite the short stint, Kershaw made history on the night — his final out, a strikeout of Marcell Ozuna, made him the first player in history to reach 150 strikeouts while walking fewer than 10 batters (he's issued nine free passes).
Player of the day
Trea Turner, CF, Nationals — The 23-year-old rookie hit two home runs, including a walk-off solo shot in the ninth to give the Nationals a 5-4 win against the Phillies.
Highlight
Mike Napoli launches a home run into the upper deck at Target Field for his 32nd of the season. Statcast estimated the blast at 463 feet.
Three things to know
— Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello became the first 20-game winner this season in Boston's 13-3 win over the Blue Jays. Porcello gave up two earned runs and struck out seven in seven innings.
— The Cubs are 90-50 on the season and have consecutive 90-win seasons for the first time since doing it three straight years from 1928 to 1930. They are on pace for 104 wins.
— Yankees sensation Gary Sanchez homered. Again. Yes, we know this is becoming an everyday event, but it's still news — especially in the Big Apple, where the 23-year-old catcher's power surge has put the Yankees on the brink of a wild-card spot. Sanchez has 12 home runs in his first 123 at-bats.
What's next
Red Sox (79-61) at Blue Jays (77-63), 1:05 p.m. ET — These two teams are not just vying for the AL East title; a slight stumble could knock them out of the crowded AL wild-card picture. Toronto starter J.A. Happ (17-4, 3.34 ERA) has blossomed into an ace in the past year. Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (2-6, 4.83 ERA) gets the start for the Red Sox. He looked sensational in his last start, giving up one hit in eight scoreless innings against the Athletics, but not so great the start before that (five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings versus the Royals).
Cubs (90-50) at Astros (74-67), 1:05 p.m. ET — At this point, the Cubs are just chasing 100 wins and trying to stay healthy. The Astros, however, need to do well in this weekend series to keep pace in the AL wild-card hunt. Cubs veteran John Lackey (9-7, 3.36) faces Collin McHugh (9-10, 4.96).