Dodgers’ rotation blues come from unexpected source, Clayton Kershaw, in 11-6 loss to Brewers

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There, feel better?

What? Still not so comfy with that Dodgers rotation? There was just a little bit of trouble Tuesday. The most troublesome being that it didn’t come via one of those end-of-the-line starters, but The Kid who’s the next great thing.

Clayton Kershaw had -- everybody knows this is true -- one of those nights.

As in, ‘A Nightmare on Elysian Park Avenue’ kinda night. The kind pitchers want to erase from the memory banks like they never happened.

It did, of course, as the final 11-6 beating by the Milwaukee Brewers made all too clear.

Kershaw’s contribution was brief, but significant. As in seven earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.

He gave up all seven of his runs in a second inning that will not be making an appearance in any personal 2010 highlight video. He faced eight batters in the inning, and all but opposing pitcher Chris Narveson reached base safely.

Included in the onslaught were a three-run double by Ryan Braun and a two-run homer by Prince Fielder, where I’m pretty sure I heard the ball cry ‘ouch!’

Kershaw entered the game with a 3.07 ERA and left with a 4.99 ERA.

As is often the case, he again struggled with his command. In getting his four outs, he threw 57 pitches. He gave up five hits, two walks and hit two batters.

An aberration? Most certainly. He’s had bad games before and come back like it never happened.

Still, with the Dodgers currently trying to get by with untested John Ely and Carlos Monasterios in the rotation, they would like to be able to count on Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsley and Kershaw.

Just to feel a tad better.

--Steve Dilbeck