Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw continues to baffle batters at an almost unprecedented level.
The reigning National League Cy Young winner and MVP was at his best once again on Wednesday, striking out the Washington Nationals in order in the second inning to reach the 200-strikeout plateau on the season for a sixth-consecutive year.
Kershaw's strikeout artistry has landed him into some esteemed company. After punching out Ian Desmond with a 74-mph curveball, Kershaw became just the 10th pitcher in major league history to have six-straight 200-strikeout seasons.
"Not the most important thing in the world, but it's cool to be associated with those guys," Kershaw said.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
| Pitcher | Seasons | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Seaver | 9 | 1968-76 |
| Walter Johnson | 7 | 1910-16 |
| Roger Clemens | 7 | 1986-92 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 6 | 2010-15 |
| Sam McDowell | 6 | 1965-70 |
| Sandy Koufax | 6 | 1961-66 |
| Mickey Lolich | 6 | 1969-74 |
| Bert Blyleven | 6 | 1971-76 |
| Randy Johnson | 6 | 1997-02 |
| Felix Hernandez | 6 | 2009-14 |
Kershaw is on pace to surpass his career-high 248 strikeouts set in 2011, as his current 11.5 strikeout-per-nine mark is the best of his eight years in the majors.
