A little over eleven years ago, Clayton Kershaw pitched a no-hitter. With the final strikeout to seal the game, the late, great Vin Scully simply said: “He’s done it.” Those same words rang true again on Wednesday night.
Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history—and only the fourth left-hander and fourth fastest ever—to record 3,000 career strikeouts.
This wasn’t an easy night for Kershaw or the Dodgers. He got eight of his first eleven hitters into two-strike counts but couldn’t finish them off. His first strikeout didn’t come until the third inning, when he struck out former teammate Miguel Vargas. By the fifth, it looked like the milestone might have to wait.
But on his 92nd pitch, Kershaw unleashed his signature curveball to strike out Lenyn Sosa and stay in the game for one more inning.
After a quick out in the sixth, he gave up a double to Michael A. Taylor, who tried to steal third. On the throwdown, Max Muncy made the tag but suffered what appeared to be a left knee injury in the collision. With two outs and approaching the 100-pitch mark, Kershaw had one final chance.
On a 1–2 count, he delivered.
Vinny Capra froze as a perfectly placed slider hit the outside corner. Strike three. Kershaw had done it—his 3,000th strikeout. The fans erupted. After a tribute video played, Kershaw came out for a curtain call to a thunderous ovation.
But the night wasn’t over.
Trailing 4–2 in the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers needed a rally. Michael Conforto singled, followed by back-to-back walks to Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim. Shohei Ohtani nearly hit into a double play but beat the throw to first, scoring a run to make it 4–3.
Next up, Mookie Betts. He lifted a deep fly ball to tie the game, 4–4.
Then came World Series MVP Freddie Freeman. On the very first pitch, he lined a base hit into right field, scoring the winning run. Walk-off. Dodgers win 5–4 in Game One of the World Series.
Clayton Kershaw was already a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but this milestone adds yet another jewel to his legendary résumé.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner (2011, 2013, 2014), 2014 National League MVP, two-time World Series champion (2020, 2024), 10-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, and the author of one no-hitter that came one throwing error away from perfection—Kershaw’s legacy is one of dominance and consistency.
In an era where pitchers are throwing fewer innings and strikeout milestones grow more elusive, Kershaw may very well be one of the final members of the 3,000-strikeout club.
And on this night, just like all those years ago, Vin’s words were heard again: He’s done it.