Clayton Kershaw is already a Los Angeles Dodgers legend. But he cemented his legacy even further on Saturday night.

The former National League MVP struck out Spencer Torkelson during the top of the 4th in routine game against the Detroit Tigers. That strikeout became his 2,697th and made him the new leader in Dodgers strikeouts in franchise history.

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Kershaw passed Hall of Fame pitched Don Sutton, who took ownership of the title way back in 1979. The record had remained untouchable in the over four decades that followed.

Clayton Kershaw was just four strikeouts away from the Dodgers record coming into the game. He had the opportunity to break the record during his last game against the San Diego Padres, needing seven in that contest to accomplish the feat. Kershaw had recorded 20 strikeouts in his first two starts prior to that so it seemed well in hand going in.

But perhaps by design or sheer circumstance, he came well short, allowing him to seal the iconic moment in the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw will go down as the best Dodgers pitcher of his generation with a legitimate case as the best ever. This is just another accomplishment in a long list from his illustrious career.