I can't believe I'm here! Kershaw 3000K site, Kim Hye-sung also shone more with a hug freeman reverse finishing hit for the sixth time

Jul 03, 2025

LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw returns to fans who give a standing ovation while walking down the mound after achieving a career-high 3,000 strikeouts in the top of the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium on the 3rd (Korea time). Kim Hye-sung is watching this behind the right. AP Yonhap News

LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw is receiving congratulations from Kim Hye-sung after achieving 3,000 strikeouts. Photo = MLB.TV Capture

Until the 5th inning, he threw 92 balls. Ty with his highest number of pitches in a game this season. He was trailing 2-4, so there was no reason for Dave Roberts to make him throw more.

However, the promised scenario is that he will definitely finish the milestone in this game. When Clayton Kershaw reappeared on the mound in the top of the sixth inning, 53,536 LA Dodgers fans who filled Dodger Stadium began to clap in unison and buzz.

Now, if only one batter strikes out, he will complete his mission on the day. Kershaw, who grounded out Mike Turkman to first base, allowed Michael A Taylor to double on the left field line. Next, right hand beanie capra.

The number of pitches was 96, so I couldn't afford it anymore. If more runners were sent out, the possibility of replacement was high. But an unexpected situation happened.

As soon as Kershaw struck a 90.6-mile fastball at the first pitch, second baseman Taylor ran to third base. It was an unexpected steal attempt. Catcher Will Smith quickly threw it to third base, and third baseman Max Muncy tagged Taylor out sliding in. The runners were gone, and the outcount increased to two, easing the burden on Kershaw.

Third baseman Max Muncy is blocking Michael A Taylor's steal in the top of the sixth inning. At this time, I hurt my left leg while falling. AP Yonhap News

But Muncy dropped after tagging and hit Taylor's helmet with his left leg. Muncy, who collapsed on the spot, looked in pain and the game was suspended. Roberts and trainer ran out to third base. Kershaw also watched Muncy's condition with a worried look on his face with Smith. In the end, Kiké Hernández played as a substitute for third baseman. Three minutes later, the game resumed.

It was clear that it was time for Kershaw to build up his strength for a while. Following the second ball, Kafara's bat went blank on a slider that was 84.5 miles low on the third pitch. With a ball count of 1B2S, Kershaw took a breath and put an 85.3 mile slider in the outside strike zone on the fourth pitch. A rookie strikeout. Kershaw's response was unexpected at this time. I didn't raise my arms or roar. Looking at the atmosphere of the stands with his colleagues, he quietly began to move to the third-base dugout.

It wasn't long before the festival started. His wife and four children were seen cheering in the stands on broadcast cameras. Roberts raised his right arm. Kershaw took off his hat and waved to the stands. Colleagues congratulated him. Mookie Betts was the first to hug. Kike and Miguel Rojas followed. Teoscar Hernandez, who missed the day, was greeted by Kershaw in a training suit.

Clayton Kershaw strikes out Vinny Capra after two outs in the top of the sixth inning. He hit his main weapon, a slider, with an outside strike. AP Yonhap News

Clayton Kershaw is welcomed by Teoscar Hernandez. ImagesYonhap News

He then gave a fierce hug to Freddie Freeman, and Kim Hye-sung was placed in Kershaw's left arm for the sixth time. The right arm belonged to Andy Pazs. Roberts hugged Kershaw for the last time and tapped him on the back.

Congratulatory comments from the in-house announcer followed, and Kershaw, who entered the dugout, hugged and shook hands with the rest of the players and staff. Kershaw came back to the ground and answered the fans' curtain call. It was the 20th 3,000 strikeout ceremony in history that lasted about 5 minutes and 40 seconds until the Dodgers' attack began in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Kershaw finally kissed his final major league career goal of 3,000 strikeouts. Kershaw started the home game against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium on the 3rd (Korea time), struggling with nine hits, one walk and four runs in six innings, but added three strikeouts to put the flag on the spot.

Clayton Kershaw receiving congratulatory messages from colleagues with the aforementioned expression. AFP Yonhap News

It wasn't an easy game. In the first inning alone, he allowed a triple and a right-handed hit to get the first run. In the third inning with a 2-1 lead, he threw a right-handed hit to lead Chase Maidros and an 87.3-mile slider toward his body from a full count to Austin Slater, and was upset after being hit with a two-run shot that went well over the left fence.

After striking out Miguel Vargas on three pitches to reach 2998 strikeouts, the gap widened to 2-4 by allowing Andrew Benintendi to double to right and Edgar Kero to hit right field.

After giving up a heavy hit to Kero after two outs in the fifth inning, he struck out Lenin Sosa swinging and approaching 3,000 strikeouts by one stroke. And he struck out the last batter in the sixth inning, creating a historic stage.

Kershaw came off the mound in a losing battleJuss didn't just end the game in the bottom of the ninth. He combined two hits and three walks to score three points to win the game 5-4. Kim Hye-sung drew a walk with runners on the first and second bases with no outs and connected the chance with the bases loaded. Freeman hit a finishing right-handed hit to bring Shohei Ohtani home.

It was the 441st career game and 438th start for Kershaw, the Dodgers' franchise star player who made his major league debut in 2008.

Kershaw became the 20th pitcher of all time, the fourth left-hander, and the third pitcher to play on a single team with 3,000 strikeouts. Earlier, left-handers Steve Carlton (4136), Randy Johnson (4875), and CC Sabathia (3093) had 3,000 strikeouts, while Washington Senators Walter Johnson (3509) and St. Louis Cardinals Bob Gibson (3117) completed the milestone as one-club players.

He became the third active pitcher to have 3,000 strikeouts after Justin Verlander (3471) and Max Scherzer (3419).