Kershaw helps Dodgers finish off Nationals

WASHINGTON — A little past midnight EDT in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, Clayton Kershaw emerged from the bullpen to pitch in relief for the first time in seven years.

Two outs later, the only save of his major-league career in the books, Kershaw’s arms were raised and teammates were rushing to celebrate with a man whose postseason performances haven’t carried the luster of his regular-season success.

Coming into the game with two runners on base and the outcome in the balance, Kershaw got Daniel Murphy to pop out, then struck out Wilmer Difo in a game that began Thursday and ended with Los Angeles holding onto a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals as the Dodgers won the…