Following one of the strangest game endings in baseball history that saw the Dodgers lose on a walk-off single where two separate players had unforced errors on the same play, many thought that the Tampa Bay Rays had seized the momentum in the series by tying it up 2-2. But Clayton Kershaw had other ideas. Kershaw, who so far has avoided his usual playoff collapse this series, pitched a fantastic five and two-thirds innings, striking out six batters and getting the win for the Dodgers who held on to a 4-2 win.
“It feels pretty good,” Kershaw said of walking off the mound to a standing ovation. “Anytime you can have success in the postseason, it just means so much – that is what you work for, that is what you play for this month. I know what the other end of that feels like too. I will definitely take it when I can get it.” On the batting side, Joc Pederson and Max Muncy both hit home runs when it looked like the Rays were just getting back some momentum.
Even though this was a very encouraging, win I don’t think this series is over. Tampa Bay has proven that they are a very resilient team that is not just going to roll over for the coronation in game six. Blake Snell will be on the mound for the Rays in game six and Tony Gonsolin will be on the mound for the Dodgers.
Game six is at 8 p.m. Tuesday night on FOX.
