Scherzer, Nationals fall to Dodgers in Game 1

WASHINGTON - The red-clad people packed this stadium at the height of Friday rush hour in a commuter's city to see a Nationals franchise whose winning is almost unparalleled in the previous five seasons. Only St. Louis has won more regular-season games since the start of the 2012 season than Washington's 458, and the Cardinals at least can rest upon the laurels of 11 championships.

But here, in the capital? The last postseason series triumph was in 1924, when Earl McNeely's 12th-inning double in Game 7 pushed the Washington Senators over the New York Giants. That is why Max Scherzer, he of the different-colored eyes and $210 million right arm, carried so much hope with the first pitch at 5:38 p.m.

But, after a 4-3 Dodgers win in Game 1 of the National League division series, Washington occupies yet another hole.

Corey Seager, baseball's finest rookie, clobbered Scherzer's sixth pitch of the game for a solo homer. Clayton Kershaw, with his bad back and checkered postseason past, somehow survived five innings. Justin Turner, the unlikely red-headed Dodgers slugger, crushed a two-run homer. Los Angeles' first-year manager, Dave Roberts, double-switched his way through the final four innings.

"We're not the first team in postseason history to lose the first game," Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy said.

No, but Washington lost with its ace on the mound at a time when Kershaw appeared human. That could loom over this best-of-five series, however long it lasts.

"It was as close as you can bend," Kershaw said, "without breaking."

Kershaw's entire night was disjointed. He struck out the side in the first inning with 17 pitches. Then, in each subsequent inning, Washington threatened while Kershaw nibbled. Many at-bats were interrupted when Kershaw summoned his catcher, Yasmani Grandal, to the mound for a chat. He often stepped off the rubber for a pause. The home fans booed every time.

But Roberts did not budge in the fourth or fifth inning, as Kershaw's pitch count mounted and the stress level rose. He waited to deploy his bullpen, using four relievers - including five taut outs from closer Kenley Jansen.

That, however, is how Roberts has managed all season as the Dodgers endured injury after injury. He made the most pitching changes and used the most pinch-hitters of any manager in baseball.

Washington, after cruising to the National League East title, lost Stephen Strasburg and Wilson Ramos to injuries in the season's final weeks. They slogged to October with unanswered health questions about Murphy and Bryce Harper. Their first postseason game of 2016 resembled those in 2012 and 2014 - great expectations, many chances, and few timely hits.

Scherzer shouldered the blame.

"Giving up those two home runs, they were the difference in the ball game," he said. "I take ownership of that. I'm accountable for that."

This series is a 2008 Phillies reunion. Chase Utley, 37, was the first batter of the game; he later slashed a run-scoring single for his first postseason RBI since 2011. Jayson Werth, 37, batted third for Washington. Joe Blanton, resurrected as a 35-year-old shutdown reliever for Los Angeles, was the first to relieve Kershaw, and retired two of the three Nationals he faced. Carlos Ruiz, on the bench Friday as the Dodgers' 37-year-old backup catcher, will start Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.

All four players hold key roles in the series. Only Werth is under contract for 2017, which is the final season of his seven-year, $126 million contract. These could be the last postseason gasps for players with towering October successes.

Werth walked to the plate in the ninth, with everyone standing and howling to "Werewolves of London." There were two outs. He fouled four straight Jansen fastballs before flailing at a slider in the dirt.

Washington, once again, is an underdog.

mgelb@philly.com

@mattgelb