Kershaw becomes 3rd-fastest to reach 2,000 strikeouts

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw recorded his 2,000th career strikeout Friday night against Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Jonathan Villar in the second inning at Miller Park.

Kershaw blew a 94-mph fastball by Villar to reach the milestone.

Kershaw is the third-fastest pitcher in history to reach the 2,000-K mark, having done so in just 1,838 innings. Only Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson did it faster, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

When looking at his accomplishment by games pitched, Kershaw - who struck out 2,000 in 277 games - rates even better, as only Johnson did it in fewer games (262), according to Elias and ESPN Stats. He's also the fifth-youngest pitcher to hit the mark at 29 years, 75 days.

Kershaw's first career strikeout came on May 25, 2008, at Dodger Stadium, when he fanned the Cardinals' Skip Schumaker on four pitches. Appropriately, that was the first batter he ever faced in the major leagues.

He struck out Yonder Alonso, then of the Padres, on April 17, 2013, for his 1,000th career K.

Kershaw finished his start on Friday with 14 strikeouts over seven innings of work, raising his career total to 2,010 and giving him sole possession of 77th place on the all-time list.

He left in line to take the loss, however, as the Dodgers trailed Milwaukee 1-0 through seven thanks to Domingo Santana's solo home run - one of just two hits Kershaw allowed.