Dave Roberts is concerned with the long game – not a perfect one.
Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw tossed seven perfect innings against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday before his day was over. Despite needing just 80 pitches to get through those seven innings, Roberts turned to Alex Vesia out of the bullpen to start the eighth.
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The reliever gave up the Twins’ only hit to catcher Gary Sanchez with one out in the bottom of the eighth, ending L.A.’s combined bid at perfection.
Kershaw already has a no-hitter under his belt. He struck out 15 Colorado Rockies while allowing no hits and no walks on June 18, 2014. The only Rockies base runner reached on a throwing error from Hanley Ramirez.
A perfect game is a different beast, though. There have been only 23 dating back to 1880 and none since 2012, when Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat against the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Instead of pursuing history, Robert decided to preserve his three-time Cy Young Award winner. Kershaw, 34, was making his 2022 debut in the matinee matchup against Minnesota.
The Dodgers held a 3-0 lead when Kershaw left the mound and increased it to 6-0 by the time Vesia came into the game. The team came away with a 7-0 victory in the end, but the baseball world is left to wonder if history was left on the table.