Steve Webb
Kershaw lasts only an inning in embarrassing loss to Cubs
There’s one thing that’s definitely true about Clayton Kershaw. If he doesn’t have it on a particular day, it doesn’t take long to figure it out. On Tuesday, it took all of one inning. The Dodgers’ lefty ace was rocked for four earned runs in the first in the shortest start of his career. The Dodgers’ offense went back to the “cold” setting as well, making Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks look like Nolan Ryan en route to a 7-1 drubbing in what might have been the Dodgers worst game of the season so far.
Bote sends Kershaw to the showers early
Well, at least it only last seven innings. It was the first game of a double header on Tuesday, scheduled when weather canceled Monday’s contest. And all the momentum that the Dodgers might have had from their big win on Sunday seemed to have been canceled as well.
The game was basically over after the Cubs’ half of the first inning. The North Siders batted around against Kershaw, who gave up four hits and two walks in the inning. The fatal blow was a bases clearing double from third basemen David Bote, who came into the game hitting well under .200. Cleary, it just wasn’t Clayton’s day.
Defense still struggling
The Dodgers’ futility on the day was perfectly captured in the third inning when the Cubbies scored not once, but twice on Dennis Santana wild pitch and ensuing throwing error from Austin Barnes. It was, um, not good.
Ruiz goes deep
The lone bright spot on the day was Keibert Ruiz, just activated today. Wasting no time in his first at bat in the ninth inning, Ruiz completely pulverized the first pitch he saw from Kyle Hendricks and sent it deep over the right field fence.
Trevor Bauer takes the mound in the nightcap, versus some dude named Keegan Thompson, who is making his season debut. On paper at least, it should be one the Dodgers can win. But on paper we were supposed to be the best team in baseball history, so take it for what it’s worth. The Dodger have now lost 4 of five on this road trip, and are in dire need of something to get this lineup winning again.
Matt Beaty to the rescue?
