Kershaw Scoreless Streak Reaches 21 1/3 In 10-0 Win Over KC; James McCann Drives In Five As Tigers Rout Braves

Players of the Day for Friday, March 23, 2018

Grapefruit League

McCann 2 2B, 5 RBI

After dominating the AL Central from 2011-2014, winning the division four straight years, the Detroit Tigers have fallen on hard times, not making the playoffs in any of the past three seasons. 2017 was particularly telling of just how far the former powerhouse has fallen, as the Tigers ended the season in last place, a full 38 games behind the Cleveland Indians, tying the Giants for the worst record in the majors, at 64-98.

As Spring unfolds and the regular season awaits, the Tigers have hopes for a better performance with some new faces and continued improvement from veteran players.

One position that appears solid is behind the plate, as James McCann has been the regular catcher the past two years and will be the starter on opening day.

On Friday, the Tigers routed the Braves, 11-3, thanks largely to a pair of doubles and five RBI from McCann.

Down 3-0 in the fifth, McCann tied the game with a bases-loaded double to the left field gap, then doubled again in the seventh, plating two, as the Tigers put the game away with a seven-run inning.

McCann hit .253 in 2017, with 13 homers and 49 RBI. The Tigers are 11-14 this Spring.

Cactus League

Kershaw: 21.1 IP, 0.00 ERA

After taking the NL West in a runaway last season, winning the division by six games over Arizona, then taking the Astros to seven games in the World Series, the LA Dodgers aren't too concerned about their Spring Training record. After all, there are 162 regular season games dead ahead, with the true season starting Thursday.

What may have other teams concerned is the dominance of Clayton Kershaw, who extended his personal string of scoreless innings to 21 1/3 innings by allowing one hit and no runs over 6 1/3 in the Dodgers' 10-0 swamping of Kansas City. He fanned four and did not issue any walks.

His teammates gave him an early lead with a run in the first, then added seven in the third, more than enough cushion for the seven-time all star.

Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young award winner (2011, 2013, 2014) and NL MVP (2014), has made six appearances this preseason - all starts - allowed 12 hits, four walks, no runs, and struck out 23. Last season, he was 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA.

The Dodgers are 15-13, 3 1/2 games out in the Cactus League. Kershaw will start the season opener at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, March 29, against the San Francisco Giants.