Clayton Kershaw gave it all he got, and fortunately he provided enough... just enough. Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:
“That’s the thing,” Dave Roberts said. “That’s one of the challenges we talk about in our clubhouse, is after any game, whether it be a playoff game or a regular-season game, you should not be only physically but mentally exhausted. And the thing is, his conviction, his preparation … for Clayton to leave every bit of himself out there speaks to why he’s great. That’s why he’s the best pitcher on the planet.”He went 6 2/3 innings, struck out eleven, walked two, allowed an uncharacteristic seven hits and five earned runs. If not for a bullpen that couldn't record a third out fast enough -- when Kershaw was pulled with the bases loaded in the seventh inning -- his numbers would've looked better. Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:
"I felt really, really good about it until the last, like, four minutes," Kershaw said. "It's a weird feeling, I guess, more than anything. You kind of have to swallow your pride a little bit and realize we won the game and be excited about it. We get to go back to D.C."Fortunately, some late game heroics and clutch hitting saved the day; i.e. Toles and Ethier getting on-base for Utley to drive in the winning run in the eighth inning. The Dodgers pulled out an 6-5 victory to send the series to five games.
Photo above via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2016. Go here to check out more pics by Juan, Jill Weisleder, Mike Zito, Patrick Gee and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1916 the Boston Red Sox won Game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) to win their fourth-ever championship. In 1920 the Cleveland Indians defeated the Brooklyn Robins to win the World Series. In 1988 Orel Hershiser threw a five-hit shutout victory, 6-0, against the NY Mets in Game 7 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series.
- ICYMI: Game 5 against the Nationals in Washington will be on Thursday at 5:08 PT on Fox Sports 1.
- Via Doug Padilla at ESPN; "Rich Hill says he's starting Game 5 for Dodgers in NLDS."
"It is a cliché saying, but this is why you play," Hill said. "There is nothing to hold back. I know it's short rest, but physically I feel great."
- Cat Loves the Dodgers shares a bunch of pics from yesterdays Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. Go here to check them out.
- Via August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs; "The History of Clayton Kershaw’s Postseason Bullpens."
His postseason Fielding (and, apparently, Bullpen) Independent Pitching mark in 10 starts since 2014 is an elite 2.25, yet his ERA is 4.57. He has, of course, pitched far better than his surface-level postseason numbers might indicate, and this is a perfect example of why ERA — particularly in small sample sizes — can sometimes be a misleading measure of pitcher performance.
- Get well, Tommy! Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Lasorda hospitalized; release expected soon."
Legendary former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda is hospitalized with back and shoulder issues and has been unable to attend the club's postseason games against Washington at Dodger Stadium this week.
Lasorda is expected to be released from the hospital in the next couple of days, according to the club.
- Ha Ha! Via Eric Avakian at Dodger Blue; "Fan Loses Bet On Joe Blanton, Eats Every Food Item At Dodger Stadium."
- Via Janice Garcia at Dodgers Nation; "Yasiel Puig to Represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic."
- Just because she's an former Dodgers executive I figured I'd make note of this. Besides, she always struck me as very capable, so hopefully she'll get appropriate consideration in Arizona. Via James Attwood at AZ Snake Pit; "The Bard’s Take - GM Candidate Kim Ng."
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