Kershaw moves into No. 2 all-time in strikeouts

Hoboken's Clayton Kershaw moved past Pedro Martinez for No. 2 all time in strikeouts on Monday night, trailing only fellow left-hander Randy Johnson.

With 2,925 strikeouts, Kershaw trails Randy Johnson (3,408) by almost 500 as he sets his sights on becoming the second pitcher to reach 3,000. Martinez now stands 3rd with 2,924, with three active pitchers not far behind him: Zack Greinke (2,815), Max Scherzer (2,786), and Justin Verlander (2,770).

The historic strikeout came in a mediocre effort for the 34-year-old but at least he was able to do it in front of the home crowd. Kershaw was tagged for 5 runs on 8 hits over 6 innings by Livingston to take the lost. He struck out 6 and walked 1, with his final K coming against leadoff hitter Connor Joe after back-to-back singles to start the 5th. It was followed by three-run jack by Vlad Guerrero, Jr.  to break a 2-2 tie and give the Lords of Swing a 5-2 advantage.

Kershaw dropped to 6-9 on the season in 22 starts with a 4.76 ERA as the Cutters lost 8-3 to Livingston on Monday night. He's compiled 119 strikeouts over 124.3 innings this season, which he's 50/50 at best to reach 3,000 Ks this season, barring a torrid stretch.

Kershaw has never won a Ben McDonald Award but was named the 2017 DMBL Series MVP after a masterful run in the postseason to help Hoboken to its 2nd title. Until the prevalence of strikeouts absolutely took over the league the past few seasons, his near back-to-back seasons of 300 strikeouts was a rarity, compiling 299 and 300 Ks in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Monday's start also snapped a tie with Verlander for No. 7 all-time. Kershaw (428) now trails Andy Pettitte (449) for No. 6. If he can stay healthy, he (2,778) would likely supplant Verlander (2,808) this season for 6th all time in innings pitched, passing Roy Halladay (2,779.3) and Curt Schilling (2,800.3) along the way.

Verlander missed the 2022 DMBL season with arm trouble but is recuperating with Marietta and expected to return in 2023 after the Mighty Men drafted him in the 15th round this year.