Kershaw's Final Start Fuels Dodgers' 6-1 Sweep of Mariners
When Clayton Kershaw, the veteran left‑hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers stepped onto the rubber at T-Mobile Park on , the Seattle crowd rose for a standing ovation that felt more like a tribute than a typical baseball roar. The game – officially the Dodgers vs. Mariners final regular‑season showdownT-Mobile Park – ended in a 6‑1 victory for the Dodgers, completing a sweep that stretched their winning streak to five games.
Season Context and Stakes
The Dodgers entered the final weekend with a 93‑69 record, just a hair above the .500 mark and comfortably atop the National League West. Their rivals, the Seattle Mariners, finished 90‑72, a respectable tally that still left them trailing the division leader by a few games. For Los Angeles, the series was less about playoff positioning – already locked in as a wild‑card contender – and more about sending a message to the rest of the league: they’re still hungry, even after 162 games.
Kershaw's Farewell Pitching Performance
In his 18th major‑league season, Kershaw delivered a masterclass in efficiency. He threw 5 1⁄3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, walking one batter, and striking out seven. Dodgers fans will remember the way his 94 pitches (62 strikes) zipped in the seam, each one a reminder of why he’s a Hall of Fame candidate. When he left the game in the bottom of the sixth, Freddie Freeman – the Dodgers' first baseman – walked over to the mound for the customary post‑game ball‑retrieval, a moment that felt almost ceremonial.
Relief ace Leo Knack inherited a two‑run lead and extended it with 3 2⁄3 solid innings, conceding just one hit and one earned run while fanning seven. Knack’s calm presence on the rubber kept the Mariners at bay and earned him a respectable 4.89 ERA for the season.
Ohtani's Record‑Breaking Night
Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani turned the evening into a historic showcase. Going 3‑for‑5, he collected a double, a triple and, most notably, a solo homer in the seventh inning that sailed to center field. That blast marked his 55th home run of the year – a new personal best and the most ever by a Dodgers player in a single season, nudging past the 54 set by Ohtani himself just a year earlier.
Because the home run came in a game that already seemed like a farewell to Kershaw, the narrative felt almost cinematic: a veteran closing his regular‑season chapter while a Japanese superstar rewrites the record books. Ohtani’s slugging display also helped push his season batting average to .282, a figure that’s still climbing as the postseason unfolds.
Offensive Highlights and Key Contributions
Early offense sparked in the second inning when ninth‑line Hyeseong Kim launched a two‑run homer to right, putting the Dodgers ahead 2‑0. It was Kim’s third homer of the year and his first since May 31, 2025, a reminder that his power surge is more than a flash‑in‑the‑pan.
The damage escalated in the third when Freddie Freeman ripped a two‑run shot to left‑center, bringing the score to 4‑0. Freeman’s homer was his third in as many games, a hot streak that has seen him bat .295 with four homers in his last five outings.
Later, Andy Pages, the Dodgers’ center‑fielder, contributed an RBI single in the eighth that pushed the lead to 6‑0. Pages had been quiet for most of the weekend, making this hit his first of the series and a nice personal boost heading into the playoffs.
While some regulars – Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Enrique Hernández – went hitless, the collective effort proved enough to silence Seattle’s bullpen.
Mariners' Response and Pitching Duel
Seattle’s offense finally sparked in the ninth when Eugenio Suarez grounded out to third base, allowing Randy Arozarena to cross home plate. The run was a small consolation; the Mariners could only muster one run on the night, falling to 90‑72 for the season. Starting pitcher Bryce Miller took the loss, dropping to 4‑6, but he kept the Dodgers in check for most of his outing, limiting them to just two runs through five innings.
Defensive highlights for Seattle were scarce, though Enrique Hernández (Dodgers third baseman) made a memorable play, fielding a ground ball from his knees and whipping it to first – a reminder that even in a loss, the field can be a stage for drama.
What the Win Means for the Dodgers' Postseason Outlook
Beyond the emotional weight of Kershaw’s final start, the win solidifies the Dodgers’ position as a formidable postseason contender. A five‑game streak heading into the wild‑card round gives them momentum and a psychological edge over any opponent they might meet.
Analysts note that the combination of veteran poise – embodied by Kershaw and Freeman – and the youthful firepower of Ohtadi and Kim creates a balanced lineup that can adapt to any pitching attack. If the Dodgers can replicate this blend of power and precision, they stand a good chance of at least reaching the NL Championship Series.
Historical Footnote: Kershaw and Ohtani in Dodgers Lore
Few seasons have paired a pitcher’s farewell with a slugger’s record‑breaking night. The last time a Dodgers pitcher closed his regular‑season career with a scoreless outing while a teammate set a franchise home‑run record was back in 1998, when Hideo Nomo tossed a shutout and Jeff Kent broke the team’s RBI mark. The 2025 finale adds a new chapter, cementing Kershaw’s legacy alongside Ohtani’s evolving legend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kershaw's performance affect his postseason role?
Kershaw’s 5 1⁄3 scoreless innings signal he’s still a reliable option in high‑leverage situations. The Dodgers are expected to use him as a short‑stop starter or a late‑innings reliever, depending on matchup needs.
What record did Ohtani break in this game?
Ohtani’s seventh‑inning solo homer was his 55th of the season, setting a new Dodgers franchise single‑season home‑run record and surpassing his own previous high of 54 set last year.
Did the Mariners have any chances to come back?
Seattle’s only run arrived in the ninth inning, a groundout that allowed Randy Arozarena to score. With a 6‑1 deficit and only one inning left, the odds of a comeback were essentially nil.
How might this win influence the Dodgers' lineup for the playoffs?
The offensive burst – three home runs and key contributions from Kim, Freeman, and Ohtani – gives manager Dave Roberts confidence in a balanced lineup that can swing both ways. He’s likely to keep the core intact while using the bench for matchup‑specific roles.
What does the sweep mean for the Mariners' offseason plans?
Finishing 90‑72 but losing the final series highlights Seattle’s need to shore up pitching depth. Front‑office sources say they’ll explore adding a veteran starter and a high‑average left‑handed reliever before the 2026 free‑agency period.
