Photos: Cubs Fans Still Optimistic After Kershaw Gem Evens NLCS 1-1

By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 17, 2016 5:01AM

Reports of Clayton Kershaw’s playoff shortcomings may have been exaggerated.

The Los Angeles ace was in excellent form as he led the Dodgers to a tight 1-0 win, knotting up the NLCS at one game apiece. It was the Cubs first postseason shutout loss at home since 1918.

Kershaw allowed only two hits and one walk, while striking out six batters, through seven innings. He was perfect through four and two-thirds innings, as the Cubs offensive never manifested.

“Kershaw pitched a gem," said Cubs fan Joe Gilson after the loss. "It’s tough to go against one of the best pitchers in baseball.” Gilson and his friend Sam Middleton drove from Des Moines, Iowa to watch the game at Wrigley Field.

Closer Kenley Jansen finished the job in equally impressive fashion, fanning four Cubs batters for a six-out save.

Cubs starter and Cy Young hopeful Kyle Hendricks pitched well. He made only one key mistake—surrendering a solo home run to Adrian Gonzalez in the second inning. But with Cubs bats asleep, that was all the Dodgers needed.

Still, confidence among the Cubbie faithful remained high. Middleton said he "absolutely" expects a series victory. "Kershaw can’t pitch every game," he said. "You can’t keep the Cubs offense down like that for two games in a row."

“The only concern about this series is Kershaw," added Cubs fan Ethan Joseph. "And the umps.”

The series heads to Los Angeles on Tuesday, 7 p.m., for Game Three.