LOS ANGELES: Two-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw threw his first career no-hitter as the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Colorado Rockies 8-0 on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Kershaw, who struck out a career-high 15, had his bid for a perfect game spoiled on a throwing error by Dodger shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the seventh inning.
It was the 22nd no-hitter in Dodger franchise history, including the 12th since the Major League Baseball club relocated from Brooklyn.
This marks the second no-hitter thrown by a Los Angeles pitcher this season. Josh Beckett tossed his first career no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 25.
Kershaw, who improved to seven wins and two losses this season, threw 107 pitches, did not walk a batter and won his fourth consecutive start.
Kershaw retired the first 18 batters he faced before Corey Dickerson reached base to start the seventh. Dickerson hit a dribbler to Ramirez and the shortstop threw wildly to first.
The no-hitter was then in danger when Troy Tulowitzki hit a sharp grounder down the third-base line. Miguel Rojas made a nice stop and finished off the long throw to first base for the out.
Kershaw won the National League Cy Young Award in 2011 and 2013.
The only perfect game in Dodgers’ history came from Sandy Koufax in 1965.
