Rusty Kershaw eased back with 3-inning start

MIAMI — Clayton Kershaw and Dave Roberts talked as if they had watched different games on Friday night, when the Dodgers’ ace returned from the disabled list but took a 4-1 loss to the Marlins.

“I think every win is important, but for Clayton to be back on the mound, that’s a win for us,” the manager said after Kershaw’s first start in 75 days. “We didn’t expect him to be in midseason form. A little bit, you’ve got to take the long view. This was a win for him and for us. I don’t want to read too much into this start. I think it’s positive.”

After missing 2 1/2 months with a herniated disk in his back, Kershaw (11-3) was pleased that he felt healthy afterward, although he also seemed embarrassed to come out after only three innings and 66 pitches (46 strikes), having allowed two runs with five strikeouts, no walks and a home run to J.T. Realmuto on his sixth pitch.

“Not great, obviously,” Kershaw said. “I threw a lot of pitches, averaging 20-plus an inning. Regardless of the pitch count, it would have been a short night. I got to pitch, that’s always fun, but I don’t want to be a detriment to the team. Physically, fine, no complaints. Sleep on it and make sure I come back tomorrow, but I’m not too worried about it right now.”

For that, Dodger Nation can breathe at least …

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