Dodgers, Kershaw Dominant In NLDS Game One

Before Game One of the NLDS matching up the Los Angels Dodgers against the Atlanta Braves one of our readers let us know that the Braves were going to beat Clayton Kershaw.

Memo to reader: Don’t quit your day job.

Kershaw struck out 12 during seven dominant innings, Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 6-1 in Game 1 on Thursday night. Atlanta struck out 15 times in all.

Gonzalez began to put it out of reach in the third, driving a pitch over the center-field wall for his first postseason homer, a two-run shot that made it 4-0

“He’s the best pitcher in baseball,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said, “and he showed it tonight.”

“Strikeouts just kind of happen,” Kershaw said. “It’s not something I’m trying to do. I’m just trying to get outs as fast as possible.”

Game 2 in the best-of-five series is Friday night in Atlanta, with Zack Greinke (15-4) starting for the Dodgers against Mike Minor (13-9).