Clayton Kershaw records 300 strikeouts, first player since 2002 (Video)

Oct 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws his 300th career strikeout in the third inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws his 300th career strikeout in the third inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw became the first pitcher in 13 years to strike out 300 batters in season

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw recorded his 300th strikeout of the 2015 MLB season on Sunday afternoon with a third-inning strikeout of San Diego Padres slugger Melvin Upton Jr. As you might expect, the crowd at Dodger Stadium erupted in appreciation as Kershaw whiffed Upton:

Kershaw became the first player in 13 years to record 300 strikeouts in a single season, last accomplished by both Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002 (via Baseball Reference). Kershaw also became only the second Dodgers pitcher to reach the milestone, joining Sandy Koufax who reached the mark in 1966.

After recording his 300th strikeout, Kershaw pitched only two more outs on the afternoon, one of which was another strikeout for his total. He’ll finish the regular season with a 2.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 301 strikeouts.

However nice and historic Kershaw reaching the 300-strikeout milestone is, he and the Dodgers almost surely have bigger goals in mind. After winning the National League West once again, the Dodgers and Kershaw will be looking for postseason success to go with their success in the regular season. After all, a 300-strikeout season and a World Series ring probably sounds like something Kershaw would be very interested in.

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