Grandal wears blame for Kershaw's bad night: We 'let him down'

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw followed up his dominant start against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series with one of the most disappointing outings of his career. He allowed five runs (four earned) in three-plus innings in a Game 1 loss of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

His batterymate Yasmani Grandal owned the blame for his pitcher's outing, citing poor defense behind Kershaw, including his own defensive lapses.

"He's out on the mound competing as much as he possibly can, and we pretty much just let him down," Grandal said, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. "I think that's the biggest thing."

Grandal was possibly the biggest culprit, becoming the first catcher to ever commit two errors and allow two passed balls in a postseason game. He was charged for catcher's interference on what would have been a line drive out to first baseman David Freese that wound up loading the bases for the Brewers.

As for the passed balls, Grandal attributed it to immobility when going back on his heels in the crouch.

"It's a byproduct of being flat-footed," Grandal said. "At times I don't feel it, but I think I get on my heels. When you get on your heels, you can't do anything. You can't move."

Game 2 is slated for Saturday afternoon with Hyun-Jin Ryu toeing the rubber for the Dodgers against Wade Miley for the Brewers.