When Dodger fans woke up on Tuesday morning, they were hoping to see another outstanding Cy-Young-ish pitching performance from future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. When the final out was recorded in the top of the fourth inning, Kershaw’s last, they had witnessed anything but.

In fact, the soon-to-be 33-year-old (on March 19) Dallas, TX native and three-time Cy Young Award winner, eight-time All-Star, five-time ERA Title winner, former NL MVP, former Triple Crown winner, former Major League Player of the Year, former Gold Glove winner and World Series Champion gave up home runs to the first two Milwaukee Brewers batters he faced … on three pitches.

When the dust finally settled, Kershaw had allowed an un-Kershaw-like five runs on eight hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. He did, however, get a base hit – a double, in fact – in his first at-bat of the Spring.

“It’s never good when you’re a better hitter than a pitcher, so I have some things to work on, obviously,” Kershaw told reporters after the game. “Not great, not great; not a lot of positives. So yeah, keep going. Figure it out.”

Kershaw made a total of 71 pitches (45 for strikes) to the 19 Brewers batters he faced in his third start of the Spring on Tuesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.

So what went wrong?

“I don’t know, just not great, just too many to list,” he answered. “So just keep trying to figure it out. That’s how you win.”

As fans know, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently named Kershaw as his Opening Day starter on April 1 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

“It is just one game of 162, but it’s a special thing,” Kershaw said. “Just with the guys that have done it in the past with the Dodgers, and just the history behind it and what it means. Starting the baseball season and getting to be a part of that, and just very excited for April 1 – and hopefully, it’s not in a blizzard.”

It will be Kershaw’s ninth Opening Day start, the most in franchise history.

Play Ball!

  *  *  *  *  *  *