Look Deeper

A quick glance at today's scoreboard reveals an offensive outburst by Los Angeles; however, the real story of day belonged to Hiroki Kuroda and Clayton Kershaw.

Kuroda was impressive again since returning from the disabled list going six innings while allowing two runs, both unearned. In four starts since his freak accident, Kuroda's earned run line has dropped each game, and reads as follows: 3, 2, 1, 0. Is there any doubt who starts Game 2 in the NLDS?

Also impressive returning from a brief hiatus was Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, as you all remember, hurt his non-throwing shoulder and hasn't pitched since Sept 4th. However, there appeared to be no lingering effects as the young left hander tossed two hitless innings while striking out four. Kershaw did throw more balls than strikes, but what else is new? (EDIT: Kershaw did indeed throw more strikes than balls. Golf clap for KempKershaw for pointing that out.)

Fortunately for the Dodgers the opposition did not fare as well. The three pitchers that tossed the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings for the Washington Nationals had ERA lines of 22.50, 10.80, and 10.09 respectively. Funny that last word, there's certainly nothing respectable about that.

Photo courtesy of Nick Wass