Kershaw stops steal of home, puts Dodgers up, 3- 2

ARLINGTON, TEXAS » Clayton Kershaw’s glittering career lacked two of the most satisfying accomplishments: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring.

He took the mound Sunday night with the Los Angeles Dodgers shaken, and Kershaw steadied his team with a gritty performance, plus oneparticulardelivery home that will long be remembered.

Now with one more victory, the Dodgers would claim their first title since 1988.

Kershawbeat theTampa BayRays for the second time in six days, escaping a fourthinning jam with a quick reaction throw to cut down a runner trying for a rare steal of home, and the Dodgers held on for a 4- 2 win and a 3- 2 Series lead.

Mookie Betts and Corey Seager sparked a two- run first inning, and Joc Pederson and MaxMuncy homered off long- ball prone TylerGlasnow, whose 100mph heat got burned.

His scraggly dark brown hair dangling with sweat, Kershaw was cruising when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed the 32- year- old left- hander in favor of

Dustin May after getting two outs on two pitches in the sixth inning.

The mostly pro- Dodgers fans in the pandemicreduced crowd of 11,437 booed when Roberts walked to themound, well aware of what happened with the bullpen the previous night, when closer Kenley Jansenwasted a ninth- inning lead in a stunning 8- 7 loss.

Those boos quickly turned to cheers as the LA rooters saluted Kershaw, a three- timeNL CyYoungAwardwinner, as hewalked to the dugout. Kershaw improved to 13- 12 in postseason play, including 4- 1 this year.