Clayton Kershaw became the Dodgers’ career strikeout record holder Saturday evening by striking out Spencer Torkelson in the fourth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium, increasing his career total to 2,697, breaking a tie with the late Hall of Famer Don Sutton.
Kershaw had a strikeout in each of the first three innings to tie the record, striking out leadoff hitter Robbie Grossman in the first, Torkelson in the second and Dustin Garneau in the third.
Kershaw struck out each of the next two hitters after setting the record, Jonathan Schoop and Jelmer Candelario.
Sutton had held the record since Aug. 5, 1979, when he struck out Greg Johnston of the San Francisco Giants to increase his total to 2,486, passing Hall of Famer Don Drysdale.
Sutton pitched a franchise-record 3,816 1/3 innings with the Dodgers, beginning his career with them in 1966 and remaining with the team through 1980. He returned to the Dodgers in 1988 for what would be his final season.
Kershaw entered Saturday’s game having pitched 2,471 2/3 innings since making his Dodgers and major league debut May 25, 2008.