Kershaw runs out of NLCS magic

CHICAGO — Clayton Kershaw’s playoff renaissance is over, at least for this year. The ace flopped at a big moment — again.

Kershaw’s postseason resume took another hit in Game 6 of the NLCS, finishing off the reeling Dodgers. The Cubs beat up the threetime Cy Young Award winner and took advantage of Los Angeles’ shaky defense on their way to a 5-0 victory Saturday night, leaving the Dodgers still in search of their first World Series trip since winning the title in 1988.

Kershaw could have started Game 5 on three days’ rest, but manager Dave Roberts decided to save him for Game 6 at Wrigley Field. Roberts was hoping a couple more days would help Kershaw duplicate his performance from Game 2, when he pitched seven innings of two-hit ball in a 1-0 victory.

The decision worked out quite well — for the Cubs. After winning a pair of shutouts in Games 2 and 3, the Dodgers dropped the next two by a combined score of 18-6. Even the great Kershaw was unable to slow Chicago’s momentum, and Dave Roberts’ first season as Dodgers manager ended in disappointment.

The left-hander allowed four earned runs and seven hits while dropping to 4-7 with a 4.55 ERA in 18 playoff games.

“I think that the first thing I saw is the Cubs hitters, they had a great game plan tonight,” Roberts said. “And there was a couple mistake sliders that they took advantage of. But they were running counts, they used the whole field, and there was traffic all night for Clayton. And he gave it everything he had, but when they did — when he did make a mistake, they made him pay.

“We have asked a lot of Clayton all year long, so, again, it’s just more of you got to give those hitters credit.”