Clayton Kershaw didn't make it very long on mound for the Dodgers in his Game 1 start against the Diamondbacks.
The three-time NL Cy Young winner gave up a double, single, single and then another double to the first four batters he faced on Saturday night.
With two runners having already crossed the plate and two still on base, Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno stepped to the plate.
Moreno, who had hit just seven homers in the regular season, connected on a slider for a home run to put the Diamondbacks up 5–0 before the Dodgers had recorded a single out.
The brutal start was summed up promptly by Bob Costas, who is calling the game for TBS.
Five @Dbacks have come to the plate tonight.
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2023
Five @Dbacks have scored. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/0mCmRRdXtO
Kershaw was able to get an out on a grounder, but quickly conceded a walk and another double to let a sixth run score before mercifully being pulled after 35 pitches.
Clayton Kershaw was pulled after allowing six runs in the first inning 👀
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) October 8, 2023
(via @Sportsnet) pic.twitter.com/9DeFRx501q
“He’s had a rough time before in the postseason,” Costas said of Kershaw as he walked off the mound. “This has to be the worst of all those outings.”
Kershaw exited the game with an ERA of 162.0. The Dodgers were down 6–0 before they had their first at-bat.
