Kershaw struggles as Dodgers lose to Brewers

October 13, 2018 at 4:56 a.m. | Updated October 13, 2018 at 4:56 a.m.

by Associated Press

Milwaukee Brewers Lorenzo Cain (6) hits a single during the first inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Milwaukee Brewers Lorenzo Cain (6) hits a single during the first inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)




Rangers Update

World Series champion Joe Girardi has been interviewed by the Texas Rangers in their search for a new manager. People familiar with the details said the Rangers interviewed Girardi, the former New York Yankees and Florida Marlins manager, on Friday in Arlington. The team is making no public comments about the first round of interviews as it looks to replace fired manager Jeff Banister. Girardi managed the Yankees to a World Series title in 2009, their 27th overall and only one since 2000. He was New York's manager for 10 seasons, but his contract wasn't renewed after the Yankees lost in the ALCS last October. -The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE-Clayton Kershaw pounded his glove with his left hand and yelled "Let's Go!" as he walked off the mound.

Pretty soon, he was gone.

Kershaw was hit hard in the shortest start of his spotty playoff career, and the sloppy Los Angeles Dodgers lost 6-5 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series on Friday night.

Los Angeles committed four errors, including two by catcher Yasmani Grandal in Milwaukee's two-run third. But another playoff flop for its ace left-hander might be its biggest concern as it tries to cool off streaking Milwaukee.

Game 2 is Saturday afternoon at Miller Park.

Kershaw holds the team records for playoff wins (eight), starts (21), innings (133) and strikeouts (144), but is just 8-8 with a 4.26 ERA in 26 career postseason appearances. The Dodgers dropped to 13-13 when the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner takes the mound in the playoffs.

The 30-year-old Kershaw quieted some of those October questions when the Dodgers won the NL pennant last year for the first time since 1988, going 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA in six appearances. He pitched six sparkling innings in the NLCS-clinching victory at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, and worked four scoreless innings in relief in Los Angeles' Game 7 loss to Houston in the World Series.

After he was passed over for Los Angeles' Game 1 start in the NL Division Series this year, the 2014 NL MVP responded with eight innings of two-hit ball in a 3-0 victory over Atlanta.

Kershaw's shortest playoff start before the loss to Milwaukee was four-plus innings in a 9-0 loss at St. Louis in Game 6 of the 2013 NLCS, ending Los Angeles' season.

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