Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Slams Reds Manager After Austin Barnes Hit By Pitch

Kershaw defended his catcher after he exited in the ninth inning with an injured hand.

Clayton Kershaw didn't mince his words after reporters asked about his teammate Austin Barnes, who was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 6-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

"It’s pretty ridiculous that they walked the guy in front of him, too, in that situation," Kershaw said. "I don’t agree with that, or a lot that the manager did this series. So I don’t think that was the right thing to do."

(Via SportsNet LA)

"We lost a few in a row here, so we wanted to stop the bleeding." Clayton Kershaw on going deep into today's game, getting the win and resetting the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/wEd1VrmklG

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 8, 2023

Barnes, who hit a double in the fourth inning for an RBI, underwent an x-ray test after the game and the results came back negative. Nonetheless, the catcher could miss some time after the injury.

Kershaw's frustration stemmed from Reds manager David Bell's decision to intentionally walk James Outman with two outs in the ninth followed by the unfortunate play that happened during Barnes' at bat.

Barnes spoke to the media following the game, and didn't think there was any foul play involved.

"No, I don't think it was intentional," Barnes said. "Kershaw, he's always gonna have his teammate's back and everything like that. But no, that's just baseball. Stuff like that happens."

(Via SportsNet LA)

Austin Barnes walks us through the at-bat where he was hit in the hand. pic.twitter.com/mHCopBTftT

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 8, 2023

Barnes also differed from Kershaw's opinion on the Reds' decision to walk Outman.

"I don't worry about that kind of stuff," Barnes said. "Whatever they're gonna do, play baseball, that's fine."

(Via SportsNet LA)

Kershaw not only had his teammate's back in the locker room after the game, but he did his part on the field as well. In 7 innings, the 35-year-old lefty struck out 9 batters and allowed just 5 hits and 2 walks. His final strikeout of the day was good for his 2,900th of his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Clayton Kershaw's day is likely done.

He single-handedly shut down a Reds offense that the Dodgers have otherwise struggled with all series long. His line:

7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

He had 17 swings-and-misses. He season ERA is down to 2.95.

He's just so, so good.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 8, 2023

The Dodgers will head to Philadelphia tomorrow for a 4:05 PDT matchup against the Phillies, where all eyes will be on who the Dodgers' backup catcher is.