Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw walks off the field at the end of the first inning after giving up tw runs against the Washington Nationals during a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate against the Washington Nationals in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate against the Washington Nationals in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Chris Taylor chases down a RBI double by Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman (not pictured) in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper scores on a double by Ryan Zimmerman (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor triples against the Washington Nationals in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw walks off the field at the end of the first inning after giving up tw runs against the Washington Nationals during a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager throws out Washington Nationals’ Moises Sierra in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor catches a drive by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (not pictured) over the center field wall in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig flips his helmet around after Washington Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor (not pictured) caught a fly ball above the center field wall in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig flips his helmet around after Washington Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor (not pictured) caught a fly ball above the center field wall in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy during a Major League Baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate against the Washington Nationals in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy during a Major League Baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman scores past Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal on a single by Michael Taylor (not pictured) in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman scores past Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal on a single by Michael Taylor (not pictured) in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman high fives teammates after scoring on a single by Michael Taylor (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) speaks with home plate umpire Chris Segal (96) as Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters looks on in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig RBI single against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig RBI single against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer speaks with his catcher Matt Wieters after giving up a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig wearing a t-shirt “KENLEYFORNIA LOVE” during batting practice prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger wearing a t-shirt “KENLEYFORNIA LOVE” during batting practice prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks with Matt Kemp prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
SCNG reporter J.P. Hoornstra prior to a Major League Baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, right, prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer sits ion the dugout prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) warms up in the bullpen prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig can’t reach a single by Washington Nationals’ Moises Sierra (not pictured) in the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig can’t reach a single by Washington Nationals’ Moises Sierra (not pictured) as Austin Barnes (15) looks on in the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez throws to the plate again the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Somewhere between the latent winter clouds of Washington D.C. and the smog of Southern California, the Washington Nationals decided they were going to swing their bats against Clayton Kershaw on Friday.
Trea Turner swung at Kershaw’s first pitch and hit a double down the left-field line. Howie Kendrick swung at Kershaw’s next pitch and hit a long fly to center, allowing Turner to tag up and reach third base. Bryce Harper swung at the next pitch and singled through a helplessly shallow infield. Turner trotted home with the first run of the game.
Three pitches into Kershaw’s highly anticipated duel with Max Scherzer, the Nationals had turned him into Alexander Hamilton. The hits kept coming and the Dodgers ultimately lost 5-2 before an announced crowd of 50,211 at Dodger Stadium.
“We did the same thing to Max,” Kershaw said. “Max was just able to pitch out of it. Two (runs) is tough. Usually if you’re lucky you can come back from two, but against a guy like Max it’s going to be tough. I can get through seven (innings) and two (runs), but I had those tack-on runs late that I can’t have.
“We had our opportunities, just like they did, but Max limited the damage tonight.”
Scherzer won this round against Kershaw, a reversal of fortunes from their last meeting in the 2016 National League Division Series. He allowed only one run over six dominant innings Friday, striking out nine. Other than Chris Taylor (triple, walk, double) no Dodger had Scherzer’s number.
The Dodgers touched Scherzer for four hits and three walks but went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
“He was just throwing his normal stuff,” Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger said of Scherzer. “Everything is elite. Every pitch is elite and he can throw it in any count. That’s what makes him so effective: you can’t really expect a pitch because he can throw anything, whenever.”
Between flashes of brilliance, Kershaw allowed nine hits and four runs over seven innings. With every batter coming up hacking, Kershaw finished with just four strikeouts. The last time he pitched seven or more innings and struck out four or fewer batters? July of 2013.
Still, Friday’s performance might have been enough for Kershaw on another night. The Dodgers began the day riding a four-game winning streak in which they outscored opponents 37-12.
“You look at the last four games, I thought we’d been pretty good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Scherzer’s kind of a hard guy to gauge off of.”
Games between two such adulated pitchers are rare. It’s been 12 years since the last time Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux faced off, and by then they were past their peak. Both three-time Cy Young winners, Scherzer and Kershaw finished 1-2 in last year’s voting and have combined to win four of the past five NL awards.
It was only game 18 of 162 for the Dodgers (and Game 20 for the Nationals), but Friday’s matchup took on adding meaning. Roberts said that Scherzer and Kershaw are “pretty much in a league by themselves.”
“We understand this is April,” the manager said prior to the game, “but the intensity already in the clubhouse with Clayton pitching, and we know who we’re playing, it’s that kind of playoff mindset. It’s an important baseball game.”
For the Nationals, their reaction was to be aggressive from the outset of each at-bat. They scored another run in the first inning when Ryan Zimmerman doubled to center field, driving in Harper to put Kershaw in a 2-0 hole.
Between Taylor’s triple to lead off the game, and his double with one out in the fifth inning, Scherzer did not allow a hit.
Turner laid down a perfectly placed safety squeeze in the fifth inning to scramble the Dodgers’ defense and knock in Michael Taylor from third base. Up 3-0, Washington tacked on in the sixth, using three singles to score another run. The Dodgers trailed once during their four-game winning streak; Friday they never led.
The Dodgers finally broke through in the sixth inning. Joc Pederson drew a two-out walk against Scherzer. Chase Utley ended a seven-pitch at-bat with a single, sending Pederson to third base. Yasiel Puig fought off a two-strike fastball from Scherzer then pounced on a slider, hitting it sharply into left field to score Pederson with the Dodgers’ first run.
By then, Scherzer had a comfortable cushion. He and Kershaw have split their three head-to-head meetings evenly: each pitcher is 1-1 with a no-decision from their first meeting – back on Sept. 7, 2008, when the two pitchers were rookies.
“When you play a team that’s as talented as they are, and you face one of the game’s best pitchers, there is a little bit more at stake I think: your pride, individually competing against Scherzer, your pride as a ball club,” Roberts said.
Pedro Baez took over for Kershaw in the eighth inning. He allowed one single and walked three batters, including one with the bases loaded to force in a run.
The Dodgers got their other run in the seventh inning against right-hander Matt Grace. Austin Barnes led off with a single, Taylor drew another walk, and a one-out single by Yasmani Grandal scored Barnes.
Two more chances to beat the Nationals (10-10) await the Dodgers (8-10) this weekend. Their next shot at Scherzer will have to wait.
