The Clayton Kershaw that entered Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs with a 7.23 ERA in his NLCS career certainly didn’t show up to Wrigley Field on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers ace two-hit the Cubs over seven innings and struck out six before closer Kenley Jansen finished off the final two innings for a 1-0 Dodgers win. The series now is tied at one game apiece.
Kershaw retired the first 14 batters he faced before Cubs infielder Javier Baez singled to left with two outs in the fifth inning. Rookie catcher Willson Contreras followed Baez with another single, but a Jason Heyward popout ended the threat.
The Dodgers had just three hits of their own, but their first was a leadoff solo shot off the bat of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in the second inning, and it was all the offense they needed.
The series now moves to Los Angeles where Dodgers lefty Rich Hill and Cubs ace Jake Arrieta will face off Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.
Thumbnail photo via Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports Images