Dodgers Interview: Kersh Meets Media After Rough Two-Inning Stint
LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw faced the cameras after Game 3 with his usual honesty. The Dodgers lost 8–2, and the left-hander wore it. This was not the storybook outing anyone hoped for at Dodger Stadium. It was, however, a clear look at a competitor telling the truth about a rough night and turning the page to tomorrow.
“It was a tough couple innings,” Kershaw said. “I kind of got bailed out there in the seventh. Good play by Teo. And then I just didn’t make enough good pitches.” He didn’t dress it up. “I was battling command. It’s hard when you’re trying to throw strikes as opposed to get people out.”
He described the eighth as straightforward. “I felt fine,” he said. The thought of an early hook never crossed his mind. “You don’t really think about that. You just try and make the next pitch. That’s not really for us to do. We just try and get people out.” Then he circled back to the core problem. “I wasn’t throwing strikes and it’s hard to pitch behind in the count.”
The Phillies’ top hitters finally broke through in this one, but Kershaw kept his focus on what comes next. “Momentum is only as good as your next day starter,” he said. “We got Glas going. I feel good about it and be ready to go tomorrow. We still got a 2–1 lead, so we’re in a good spot.”
He was asked if the team needs to forget this one fast. Kershaw nodded to the rhythm of the sport. “It’s the great thing about baseball. There’s a new game every day,” he said. “Game 4 tomorrow. Be ready to go.”
When the conversation turned to his disappointment level, the veteran pushed it aside. “I don’t know. That’s kind of not a great question,” he said, letting the results speak for themselves. What about the command? “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I did everything I could in between. It’s been a while, but I threw flat, threw on the mound as best I could. Just wasn’t there tonight.”
He didn’t point to a bad warm-up or any warning signs. “Everything looked good coming out of the pen,” he said. “I felt good.” Then he gave the shrug every pitcher eventually gives. “It’s really one of the great mysteries about this game. You just don’t know,” he said. “I guess that’s why we play the game.”
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