Dodgers pitcher Kershaw in rarefied air with scoreless innings streak

Orel Hershiser set major-league record with 59 straight scoreless innings in 1988, just beating out Don Drysdale's 58 in 1968

Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on July 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. Dustin Bradford / Getty Images

It is hard to tell what is more ridiculous about Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw's scoreless streak – that it has reached 36 innings, or that it is only the third-longest such streak in Dodgers history.

Kershaw continued his season-long excellence on Friday in a 9-0 defeat of the Colorado Rockies in Denver. Any pitcher managing a shutout at Coors Field is notable enough, but Kershaw did so in dominant fashion, giving up two hits and one walk while striking out eight Rockies in eight innings. Even that was a regression from his previous start against Colorado, having thrown a no-hitter against them on June 18.

The Dodgers ace is 10-2 this season with a 1.85 earned-run average, with an absurd 115/12 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. He has allowed just 18 hits and five walks while striking out 45 batters during his streak, making him arguably the best pitcher in baseball.

Kershaw's next start is at home against the San Diego Padres, with games at the St Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates after the All-Star break. Scoring runs has been tough for San Diego and St Louis, so July 23 at Pittsburgh could be Kershaw's chance to stake his claim to baseball history.

Dodger ace Don Drysdale set the major-league record of 58 straight scoreless innings in 1968 before LA’s Orel Hershiser bettered it with 59 straight in 1988.

Even if Kershaw falls short of the record, though, his mastery has been a delight to watch and a key part of the Dodgers reeling in their rivals, the San Francisco Giants, and overhauling them to lead the National League West.

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