Kershaw surrenders 4 HRs for 1st time in playoff career
Clayton Kershaw was cruising along through the first six innings of his 2017 postseason.
When he came back out for the seventh, the Arizona Diamondbacks were waiting for him.
Kershaw's otherwise solid playoff opener was spoiled after allowing four solo home runs to Arizona, including back-to-back seventh-inning shots from the light-hitting duo of Ketel Marte and Jeff Mathis that ultimately ended his night.
Ketel Marte + @JMathSix combine for the 2nd set of back-to-back homers in #Dbacks #postseason history. pic.twitter.com/Rpg9hDnlXY
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 7, 2017
Marte's and Mathis' jacks gave Kershaw an inflated 25.50 ERA in the seventh inning or later during the playoffs, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
A.J. Pollock and J.D. Martinez also tagged Kershaw for round-trippers.
It marked only the second time in Kershaw's career that he's given up four homers in a game. The New York Mets hit four bombs off him earlier this season. In addition, he's only the ninth hurler ever to give up four homers in a playoff game, though unlike the first eight, Kershaw still managed to pick up the win.
| Pitcher | Team | Yr./Series | IP | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Root | Cubs | 1932 WS Gm. 3 | 4.1 | L |
| Gene Thompson | Reds | 1939 WS Gm. 3 | 4.2 | L |
| Dick Hughes | Cardinals | 1967 WS Gm. 6 | 3.2 | L |
| Catfish Hunter | Athletics | 1971 ALCS Gm. 2 | 8 | L |
| Dave McNally | Orioles | 1973 ALCS Gm. 2 | 7.2 | L |
| Andy Pettitte | Yankees | 1998 ALCS Gm. 3 | 4.2 | L |
| Rick Reed | Twins | 2002 ALDS Gm. 3 | 5 | L |
| Yu Darvish | Rangers | 2016 ALDS Gm. 2 | 5 | L |
| Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | 2017 NLDS Gm. 1 | 6.1 | W |
Despite the barrage of homers, Kershaw finished his night with a solid if unspectacular line, allowing four runs on just five hits while striking out seven and walking three in 6 1/3 innings. The Dodgers held on to defeat Arizona 9-5 and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.