A four-run fifth inning capped off by three individual RBI singles was the difference as the Los Angeles Dodgers took a 1-0 series lead with an 8-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. The four run frame was enough for starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw as he earned his 12th career postseason win pitching six innings allowing only two hits and striking out eight just days after experiencing back spasms in the NLCS.
Los Angeles opening up the rout in the fourth inning as Cody Bellinger gave the Dodgers a two run lead on a blast to right center field following concerns over a separated shoulder in game seven of the NLCS. Tampa Bay would answer in the next half inning as Kevin Kiermaier hit a solo home run cutting the Dodgers' lead to 2-1, as Kiermaier also silenced critics as he continues to deal with a wrist injury. That's all the support Rays' starter Tyler Glasnow would get in his first career start in the fall classic as Los Angeles added two more off Glasnow taking advantage of some early walks allowed to open a 4-1 lead on Tampa Bay. Max Muncy drove in Mookie Betts following a double steal, and Will Smith added in the very next at bat with an RBI single ending Glasnow's night in the fifth inning.
Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez added to the Dodgers' lead in the fifth as Los Angles opened up a 6-1 lead on the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays. Betts would add a solo home run and Max Muncy's RBI double extended the lead to 8-1 and the Dodgers never looked back.
Glasnow finished the game allowing six runs on three hits in 4 1/3 innings work while walking six batters earning the loss for Tampa Bay, who will look to rebound Wednesday night and even the series with Blake Snell on the mound. First pitch is set for 8:08pm est on WDAE.
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