Red Sox pinch-hitter Eduardo Nuñez watches the flight of his three-run home run off Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Wood, front, during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson fails to catch a hit by Boston’s Andrew Benintendi (not pictured) during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shakes hands with Red Sox manager Alex Cora before Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: The Los Angeles Dodgers look on from the dugout during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox steals second base during the first inning against Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgersin Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: David Freese #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox singles during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits into an RBI fielders choice during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Clayton Kershaw #22 gets a visit to the mound from Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts scores an RBI double by Andrew Benintendi during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Austin Barnes react during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi hits a single off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, to drive in Mookie Betts for the game’s first run, during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts, center, celebrates with David Price, left, after scoring in the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes watches as Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts scores an RBI double by Andrew Benintendi during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw watches a hit by Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Danny Lehmann tags out Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez at second during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi looks back at Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado after advancing to second on an RBI-double during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Brian Dozier tags out Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez, left, as he tried to steal second base during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi scores past Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes on an RBI-single by Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp hits a home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale as Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon crouches behind the plate during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp hits a single home run during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The Dodgers’ Matt Kemp watches the flight of his second-inning home run off Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale, not pictured, during Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night in Boston. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp hits a home run during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, rear, watches his home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale, left, during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp reacts after hitting a home run during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, rear, watches his home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale, front, during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp reacts after hitting a home run during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp takes a home run trot around the bases during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his second inning home run against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Matt Kemp #27 is congratulated by his teammate Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a second inning solo home run against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi is congratulated by Xander Bogaerts (2) as he scores on an RBI-single by Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Red Sox’s David Price cheers after Mookie Betts scored during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw reacts after walking during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale walks back to the mound after giving up a home run to Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, second from left, is congratulated at the dugout after his home run during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ David Freese hits a single during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, left, is congratulated by Yasiel Puig after his home run during the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado hits an RBI-single during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado hits an RBI single during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner scores past Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon on an RBI-single by Manny Machado during the xxx inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi is out at second as Los Angeles Dodgers’ Danny Lehmann turns a double play during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after his fourth inning strike out against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Fans hold up signs for Chris Sale (not pictured) #41 of the Boston Red Sox against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi hits a single during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez hits an RBI double during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez hits an RBI-double to score Steve Pearce during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez can’t catch a double hit by Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after giving up a hit to Boston Red Sox’s Andrew Benintendi during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after allowing a hit during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez rounds the bases after hitting an RBI-double to score Steve Pearce during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. At right is Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon speaks to Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale, second left, during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez hits an RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez gets up after tripping as he rounded second base after hitting an RBI-double during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw talks to0 Austin Barnes during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado gets hits an RBI single off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez, center, receives attention after sliding into second base after hitting an RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
A spectator yawns while watching Game 1 of the World Series baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Red Sox’s Matt Barnes throws during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Boston Red Sox’s starting pitcher Chris Sale, center, is relieved in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Red Sox’s Matt Barnes throws during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado hits an RBI fielders choice during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado hits an RBI fielders choice to score Brian Dozier during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson fails to catch a hit by Boston’s Andrew Benintendi (not pictured) during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON — “America’s most beloved ballpark” has known its share of October disappointment. After a century of wallowing in it, however, these days it just dishes it out.
The Boston Red Sox pecked away at Clayton Kershaw (who knows unhappy autumns all too well) then piled on later, handing the Dodgers an 8-4 defeat in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight World Series home games – and 13 of 15 overall – while turning from 20th century victims into 21st century winners.
“Felt great. Just didn’t pitch very well,” Kershaw said, wearing the disappointed face that has become as much a part of October as pumpkin-spice flavoring.
“Made some mistakes. My slider wasn’t very good tonight. Didn’t have a lot of depth. I made some mistakes in the zone too that they made me pay for. All the way around wasn’t a great night.”
All the way around, indeed. The Dodgers were less-than-stellar defensively in their first taste of Fenway’s brand of early 1900s state-of-the-art quirkiness and too front-loaded offensively. They ran Sox starter Chris Sale’s pitch count up and got him out of the game but went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and down in order over the last two innings.
“We didn’t play the defense that we typically do,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought we left some outs out there. And it didn’t make Clayton’s job any easier.”
The Dodgers rarely do in October and this one followed an all-too-familiar script.
The Fox foreplay leading up to the game focused on the pitching matchup between Kershaw and Sale. Among active pitchers, only two have thrown 1,000 innings or more and kept their ERAs under 3.00 – Sale and Kershaw.
Neither pitcher retired a batter in the fifth inning.
The Dodgers’ gameplan against Sale was effective from the start. They forced him to throw 21 pitches in the first inning, 30 in the second, 21 more in the third.
Matt Kemp sent one of those second-inning pitches into the seats above the Green Monster and the Dodgers scratched out single runs in the third and fifth. When Brian Dozier’s leadoff walk in the fifth drove Sale’s pitch count to 91, his day was done.
But the Dodgers were always chasing a lead.
Kershaw’s latest torment began in the first inning when Freese got turned around and let a foul pop up drop uncaught. Mookie Betts took advantage of his new life by lining a single through the middle, stealing second base and scoring on J.D. Martinez’s single one out later.
“I just got turned around. It’s a tough pop-up but it needs to be caught. Bottom line,” Freese said. “It’s the World Series. Close plays gotta be made – double plays, pop-ups. You gotta help your guy out. Especially right out of the gate. It’s a tough team we’re playing. The close plays have to be made to help out your guy on the mound.”
Martinez got Kershaw again in the third inning after the Dodgers had tied the score. With two outs, he drove an RBI double to the “triangle” in straight-away center field near the 420-foot sign.
Again, the Dodgers matched that. But Kershaw ran into a recurring feature of his October failures.A nine-pitch at-bat ended in a leadoff walk for Betts in the fifth. When Andrew Benintendi followed with a single, Roberts pulled Kershaw.
Ryan Madson replaced him and handcuffed Austin Barnes with a ball in the dirt. The wild pitch and a walk loaded the bases. But Madson blew a 96-mph fastball by Martinez to strike him out and was just a hair away from a scoreless escape when he got Xander Bogaerts to bounce a ground ball to Machado.
Bogaerts was too quick for Dozier, beating his relay to first base, allowing the go-ahead run to score and extending the inning. Rafael Devers followed with an RBI single into right field.
The inability of the Dodgers’ bullpen to have Kershaw’s back has been an October ritual akin to a trip through a haunted house for Kershaw. He always seems to come out the other side looking pale and shaken.
In his postseason career, Kershaw has left 18 runners on base when he was pulled from games. Thirteen of those runners have scored after Kershaw left, a rogue’s gallery of relievers having let him down.
His five-run bruising in Game 1 left Kershaw with a 4.28 ERA in postseason play. Had the relievers behind him simply been league average and allowed 30 percent of those inherited runners to score (call it six – 33 percent), Kershaw’s postseason ERA drops to 3.91.
Manny Machado’s third RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning made it a one-run game, 5-4. But Roberts’ attempts to keep it that way blew up in the bottom of the seventh.
Benintendi led off with his fourth hit of the game – a pop-up down the left field line that Joc Pederson couldn’t reach. It bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double but Pedro Baez kept him there by striking out Mitch Moreland and Bogaerts.
Then Roberts went to Alex Wood to face Devers.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora replaced Devers with pinch-hitter Eduardo Nuñez, who golfed Wood’s second pitch out of the bullpen over the Green Monster for a three-run home run. It was the third home run Wood has allowed in 5-2/3 innings this postseason.
“We talked about it with Petey throwing the ball well there,” Roberts said. “But Devers is really good against right-handed pitching. … I really liked Alex in that spot. I did.
“Whether they were going to hit Devers with a lead or go to the bench and go with Nuñez, I still liked Alex in that spot.”
The Red Sox bullpen was much better behind Sale, allowing just one run over the final four innings and retiring the last eight Dodgers in order to close out the game.
“We won Game 1 last year (against the Astros) and lost the Series so maybe we’ll try it out this way, see if we can win one,” Kershaw said with gallows humor.
