LOS ANGELES _ Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw left his start after two innings on Sunday because of tightness on the right side of his lower back, opening a vein of concern as his team marches toward a fifth consecutive National League West title.
His early exit overshadowed a 5-4 victory to split a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves. Logan Forsythe delivered a walkoff single in the 10th to end one of the worst days of this Dodgers' season. After Kershaw exited, Kenley Jansen blew his first save of 2017 when he surrendered a three-run homer to Braves first baseman Matt Adams. Jansen had entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with collecting a four-out save. He gave up two singles before Adams took him deep with two outs.
The Dodgers had built their lead thanks to a three-run homer by Austin Barnes in the third and a solo shot by Cody Bellinger in the eighth.
Kershaw threw 21 pitches but appeared out of sorts during his second inning. He missed 10 weeks in 2016 after herniating a disk in his lower back. The Dodgers did not provide any information besides the diagnosis of tightness. Kershaw will likely require a battery of tests to determine if he sustained further damage to his back.
The Dodgers had given Kershaw nine days off before his start last week against the Chicago White Sox. Kershaw had not made public any issues with his back before Sunday.
As benign as the initial diagnosis sounds, it is worth remembering that when Kershaw went down last season, he was first described as dealing with tightness in his lower back. A subsequent examination by team doctor Robert Watkins revealed the severity of Kershaw's injury.
Kershaw (15-2, 2.04 earned-run average) raced through the first inning in eight pitches on Sunday. His fastball clocked in at 93 mph. He looked less comfortable in the second. He secured two outs before facing Atlanta catcher Tyler Flowers. Kershaw fell behind in the count when he spiked a curveball in the dirt and missed low with a slider.
Kershaw winced after he finished the slider. Behind the plate, Barnes looked toward his dugout before jogging to the mound.
A crowd soon gathered. Dave Roberts and assistant trainer Nate Lucero came out to visit. Roberts placed his hand on Kershaw's lower back. With all eyes locked on him, Kershaw threw a pair of warmup pitches and said he could stay in the game. He walked Flowers before striking out Adams in four pitches. His pace was measured as he walked into the dugout.
Kershaw took a seat on the bench. He did not remain there for long. He pulled himself together and shuffled toward the clubhouse. In the bullpen, Ross Stripling resumed warming up. Stripling took the mound for the third inning.
It is unclear when Kershaw will take the mound again.
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