Dodgers' rally wasted as Indians win in 10 innings
Clayton Kershaw might eventually benefit from such things as late run support, the whims of Mother Nature and the way his starts fall on the schedule.
But six outings into his major league career, little seems to be going his way except for the fact that the Dodgers couldn't pin their latest defeat on the rookie left-hander.
That dishonor went to closer Takashi Saito, who wobbled in the final inning of the Dodgers' 6-4, 10-inning loss to the Cleveland Indians on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Saito nearly escaped a bases-loaded, no-out mess before yielding Jhonny Peralta's two-out, two-run double just out of the reach of right fielder Andre Ethier. Peralta's hit wiped out the Dodgers' late comeback from a four-run deficit to force the extra inning.
"I made a really bad situation for myself," said Saito, who walked leadoff batter Jamey Carroll before back-to-back singles by Ben Francisco and Ryan Garko loaded the bases. "Walking the first hitter is the last thing you want to do as a closer."
Saito (3-3) got Franklin Gutierrez to ground into a rare 6-2-5 double play before Peralta came through with the winning hit.
The Indians didn't figure to need the heroics after building a 4-0 lead against Kershaw, whose start came one day after the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of Cincinnati.
Instead of facing the fading Reds, Kershaw found himself matched against Cy Young Award candidate Cliff Lee, and it was no contest. While Lee was superb in allowing only one run in 7 1/3 innings, Kershaw was only so-so, giving up four runs in five-plus innings.
It was only the latest in a string of maddening developments for Kershaw, who is still seeking his first victory above the Class-A level.
Two starts ago, Kershaw pitched 5 1/3 strong innings against San Diego but did not receive a victory after the Dodgers splurged for six late runs.
Last Sunday against Detroit, Kershaw pitched four scoreless innings before being removed after a 47-minute rain delay.
"It's getting frustrating that I'm not helping the team and we're not winning the starts," Kershaw said. "I'm not worried about the wins personally, just for the team.
"I'm not discouraged. I still have confidence that I belong up here. I know if I make pitches, I can get people out."
Kent completed the Dodgers' comeback in the ninth with a run-scoring grounder off Indians closer Joe Borowski that tied the score, 4-4.
