Clayton Kershaw bounced back from allowing five runs in consecutive starts to hold the Texas Rangers to an unearned run over six innings and help the Los Angeles Dodgers extend their winning streak to four games.
His start on Friday differed not only from recent results but in that Kershaw formed a battery with Will Smith. It marked Smith’s first time catching the longtime ace this season and was largely due to Austin Barnes being behind the plate Thursday and not yet capable of making back-to-back starts due to a mild left ankle sprain.
“Will’s great.