It was a tough scene to watch on Saturday night as three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw exited in the first inning of the eventual, 11-2, romp by the Diamondbacks.
In Game 1 of the National League Division Series, the first five balls hit off of Kershaw each had hard-hit rates — the first of which measuring at 115.7 mph: A double from Ketel Marte.
The result ended in Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shaking his head.
“It was more shocking, I think, that those guys certainly had a great game plan tonight and they executed it,” Roberts said after the game. “We just never really had a chance to get to [Merrill] Kelly, and pitching with a good-sized lead.”
D-backs pitcher Merrill Kelly had a strong outing striking out five, walking two and giving up three hits in 6 1/3 innings. It was a stark contrast to what Kershaw did.
He gave up six hits with as many runs recording just one out.
“Usually Clayton does a great job of controlling, managing damage,” Roberts said. “And tonight unfortunately we didn’t do that.”
Roberts said there wasn’t anything physically wrong with what Kershaw had been dealing with.
“Just some mistakes that [the Diamondbacks] capitalized on,” Roberts added.
Arizona now has a one-game lead in the series.
