The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to ace Clayton Kershaw in Game 2 of the NLDS hoping he’d help lead the team to a two-game lead in the series. Instead, things got off to a rough start on Friday.
Kershaw opened the game by surrendering a leadoff double to Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner. Even after Adam Eaton gave him a free out on an ugly bunt, Kershaw’s struggles continued with a walk to Anthony Rendon.
The three-time Cy Young recipient then loaded the bases after a fastball drifted too far in and drilled Juan Soto. Washington quickly took advantage of Kershaw’s early struggles with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead.
While Kershaw managed to escape the inning with the lone run allowed, the 26-pitch inning with four base runners reminded many of Kershaw’s old demons in the postseason.