The reigning NL MVP finally snapped a five-game postseason losing streak.
Clayton Kershaw got the win on Tuesday night against the New York Mets and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers force Game 5 in the NLDS. The Dodgers capitalized on a three-run third inning and won 3-1 at Citi Field.
Mets' left-hander Steven Matz made his MLB postseason debut, but he allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks over just five innings. New York could only scatter three hits and three walks on the night. Daniel Murphy hit another home run off Kershaw, but that was the only offensive production for the Mets.
Kershaw tossed seven innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight. Relievers Chris Hatcher and Kenley Jansen added two scoreless innings and three strikeouts to shut the door on the Mets.
Los Angeles was able to survive on an Adrian Gonzalez RBI single and a two-run double from Justin Turner in the third. Leadoff man Kike Hernandez was the only player in tonight's game to record multiple hits after finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored.
New York had a good chance in the eighth when Curtis Granderson and David Wright drew walks with two outs, but Murphy flied out to right field to end the inning.
They had another opportunity in the bottom of the ninth with Yoenis Cespedes, Travis d'Arnaud and Lucas Duda due up, but Jansen retired the side and recorded the four-out save.
Game 5 will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday and the probable pitching matchup will be Jacob deGrom vs. Zack Greinke, which will make for a high-profile elimination game. deGrom defeated Kershaw in Game 1 and Greinke took down Noah Syndergaard in Game 2.
The winner will go on to face the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS.
