Clayton Kershaw was removed early from potentially his final start with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to left forearm discomfort but the team rallied for an 8-6 comeback win against the Milwaukee Brewers to keep their slim National League West title hopes alive.
After stranding a leadoff single in the first inning, Kershaw allowed three consecutive hits to open the second. The Brewers pulled even behind the string of hits, and took the lead on an RBI groundout.
Kolten Wong then hit a go-ahead two-run double with two outs, and that wound up being all for Kershaw. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and head athletic trainer Neil Rampe checked on the left-hander, who attempted to lobby his way into remaining in the game before walking off the field.
Kershaw’s body language suggested frustration and disappointment, and whether just because of the emotions or sensing the moment, he returned to the dugout with the baseball in hand.
Brusdar Graterol retired the first batter faced to end the second inning, but he then allowed two runs and failed to get through the third.
The Dodgers’ deficit remained 5-1 until they managed to rally in the fifth inning. Singles by Austin Barnes, pinch-hitter Albert Pujols, and Mookie Betts loaded the bases with one out. But Corey Seager, easily the Dodgers’ hottest hitter, popped out.
However, Eric Lauer was unable to get out of the jam as Trea Turner tied the game with a grand slam. The homer was Turner’s second of the night as his solo shot in the first inning provided the Dodgers with a short-lived early lead.
It was a stunning turn of events for Lauer, who entered 6-0 with a 1.89 ERA in eight career starts against the Dodgers. He’d only allowed more than two runs once in those outings — three on Aug. 26, 2019 — but gave up five over five innings on Friday.
Turner’s blast additionally gave the Dodgers 10 grand slams this season, which tied a franchise record set by the 2004 club.
Matt Beaty completed the Dodgers’ comeback with a second career pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning. A wild pitch with the bases loaded brought in an insurance run, and Max Muncy’s RBI infield single created more separation.
Joe Kelly allowed a run in the eighth inning, which prompted Roberts to call on Kenley Jansen for a four-out save.
Dodgers will know fate before first pitch
With the San Francisco Giants defeating the San Diego Padres, their magic number to clinch the NL West was trimmed to one. San Diego and San Francisco meet for a 1:05 p.m. PT start time on Saturday, therefore the Dodgers should know if their division chase remains alive by the time they take the field.
Meanwhile, the Padres are guaranteed to finish below .500 regardless of the outcomes from their remaining two games.
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