Kershaw surpasses Glavine for more most career losses

Clayton Kershaw, already the career leader in strikeouts, added an ignominious record to his Hall of Fame resume: most career losses.

The Merrill Creek left-hander broke a tie with Tom Glavine when he dropped a 5-4 decision at Erie, for his 173rd career loss. Kershaw exited after a 71-minute rain delay, trailing 4-0 soon after a Carson Kelly home run. He just didn't have it, yielding 4 runs (2 earned) and 5 hits over 3 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 1 while also committing a balk, to fall to 4-5 on the season. 

Kershaw remains No. 1 all-time in strikeouts, approaching 3,500, now with 3,477 Ks, and is line to break Zack Greinke's record for career starts (527). He remains just 7 starts away, now sitting at 520 all-time. It remains to be seen whether he will catch Greinke for 2nd in innings pitched (3,393.7) or the all-time leader, Greg Maddux (3,415.3). Through 15 starts, including some time on the IL this season, Kershaw sits at 3,332.3, jockeying with fellow veteran Justin Verlander, who's at 3,335.3 innings through 17 starts.

Verlander fell to 6-2 after a recent loss to Sardine City, breaking a tie with Bartolo Colon for 3rd in career losses. He now stands at 168 losses, just four behind Glavine. He also sits No. 3 in career starts with 514, 6 behind Kershaw and 13 behind Greinke.

On the positive side, Verlander surpassed Max Scherzer for 3rd place in all-time strikeouts, with 3,286. He'll probably end the year No. 3 all-time as it's looking more and more likely that 2026 will be his final DMBL season. Scherzer, who's been sitting on the free agent list waiting for a call all season, has yet to pitch in 2026 and remains at 3,270 career strikeouts, 4th all-time. They are among only four DMBL pitchers to record 3,000 career strikeouts. In addition to the three active leaders, Randy Johnson has 3,408 (2nd).