Clayton Kershaw gets his 3,000th strikeout as the Dodgers walk-off the White Sox on July 3, 2025. Relive the historic moment and thrilling finish at Dodger Stadium.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights at Dodger Stadium are just different. Thursday wasn't just another game; it was a history lesson, a nail-biter, and a Hollywood ending all rolled into one. The main event was Clayton Kershaw, the undisputed king, carving his name into baseball's Mount Rushmore. But as a perfect subplot, the rest of the Dodgers reminded us why they're the best in the West, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with a walk-off win that sent the sellout crowd into a frenzy.
With his 3,000th career strikeout, Clayton Kershaw becomes just the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone, further cementing his first-ballot Hall of Fame legacy.
The buzz was palpable from the first pitch. Needing just three strikeouts to reach the magic number, Clayton Kershaw went to work. The historic moment arrived in the top of the sixth inning. Facing White Sox third baseman Vinny Capra, Kershaw unleashed a classic 85.3-mph slider that buckled the knees and caught the corner for strike three. 3,000. The stadium erupted. Kershaw, ever the competitor, took a moment to soak it in, tipping his cap to the roaring fans who have watched him grow from a phenom into a legend. While he wasn't at his sharpest, allowing three earned runs over six innings, the night belonged to him and his incredible achievement.
Kershaw's milestone deserved a victory, and his teammates made sure he got it. Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers' offense came to life. After loading the bases, Shohei Ohtani drove in a run with a force-out, Mookie Betts tied the game with a clutch sacrifice fly, and who else but Freddie Freeman stepped up to deliver the final blow—a walk-off single that sealed the 5-4 win. It was a signature rally for a team that never says die, sparked earlier by a powerful 407-foot solo shot from Will Smith. The win extends their lead in the NL West and keeps the good vibes rolling.
While the on-field celebration was joyous, the front office is busy navigating a growing list of injuries. The team is still without the bat of Max Muncy, who is nursing a sore left knee. The bullpen, a critical component of their success, is feeling the strain. Michael Kopech was just placed on the 15-day IL with knee inflammation, joining long-term absentees Evan Phillips (out for the season), Kyle Hurt, and Brusdar Graterol. These absences put significant pressure on the remaining arms and highlight the team's need for depth.
To address the thinning bullpen, the Dodgers made a couple of key moves. RHP Will Klein was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide a fresh arm and immediate help. The team also looked to the future, signing RHP Randy Maria to a minor league deal. These transactions are a clear sign that management is proactively seeking solutions to weather the storm of injuries and keep the pitching staff stable for the stretch run.
What a night. A historic milestone for an icon and a gritty, team-wide comeback win. This game was a microcosm of the 2025 Dodgers: legendary talent leading the way, backed by relentless resilience. As they move forward, navigating injuries will be their biggest challenge. But with the offense clicking and the magic of nights like these fueling them, the Dodgers look every bit the part of a championship contender ready for the second half.
