Clayton Kershaw stunningly gave up back-to-back homers to Nationals in relief

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw came in as relief with two outs in the 7th inning of Wednesday night’s Game 5 against the Washington Nationals and struck out the first guy he saw on three pitches.

He wasn’t so fortunate in the 8th.

Kershaw gave up back-to-back sole homers to the first two hitters – Anthony Rendon and then Juan Soto – that that he saw in the bottom of the eighth, which allowed the Nationals to pull even at 3-3 and quickly chased Kershaw from the game.

It was a stunning turn of events as it appeared that the Dodgers were going to cruise to a win and the NLCS.

Here are the two blasts:

These @Nationals don't quit. #NLDS pic.twitter.com/tuVbJYR8mE

— MLB (@MLB) October 10, 2019

Twitter reacted:

Had to do it pic.twitter.com/xTlO3is2Ce

— Josh (@GoldAndOrSmith) October 10, 2019

Per @EliasSports: Clayton Kershaw has never allowed home runs on back-to-back pitches in the regular season. This is the second time he has done it in the postseason. The first: Oct. 6, 2017 against Ketel Marte and Jeff Mathis with the Diamondbacks.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 10, 2019

Clayton Kershaw should never be on a Dodgers playoff roster again, this guy is an 18-car pileup in big games. #MrSoftee

— Ben Maller (@benmaller) October 10, 2019

Per @EliasSports: Clayton Kershaw has never allowed home runs on back-to-back pitches in the regular season. This is the second time he has done it in the postseason. The first: Oct. 6, 2017 against Ketel Marte and Jeff Mathis with the Diamondbacks.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 10, 2019

Why did Kershaw give everyone “that feeling “…. that’s why.

— Liz Habib (@LizHabib) October 10, 2019

I can’t do this anymore with Clayton Kershaw, man. I feel so bad for him

— Joey Gulino (@JGulinoYahoo) October 10, 2019

When you wonder if it landed@Nationals pic.twitter.com/zRbHaETj5O

— 3030 (@jose3030) October 10, 2019

Wowwwwww.

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) October 10, 2019

Clayton Kershaw just went full-Playoff Clayton Kershaw.

NEVER go full-Playoff Clayton Kershaw.

— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) October 10, 2019

It’s a damn shame there will be people who won’t remember Clayton Kershaw as one of the greatest pitchers ever because of his postseason issues.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) October 10, 2019

This Soto kid is fun to watch.

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) October 10, 2019

OMG NATS

— Jason Dovitz (@Jdovitz) October 10, 2019

I love baseball.

— Lauren Blackwell (@Lo_Blackwell) October 10, 2019

MAMMA MIA! Just walked into my hotel room & first thing I see is the Nationals tie the game. LET’S GO @Dodgers #KershawPostseasonBlues

— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) October 10, 2019