The Los Angeles Dodgers opened up their season with a 4-0 win over the defending world champion San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium Monday. The Dodgers were led by a strong performance from starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who shined both on the mound and at the plate.
Kershaw (1-0) pitched a complete-game shutout allowing just four hits off of 94 pitches, while striking out seven batters. Offensively, he helped his own cause, hitting a 414 foot solo home run to give the Dodgers' their first of four runs scored against George Kontos and the Giants' bullpen.
"I was able to throw it for strikes, which is key," Kershaw told ESPNLA.com. "That made it easier for them to chase. They were swinging early in counts."
"As soon as I sat down, I had to think about getting three outs," he added of his home run."
Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax threw out the innaugural first pitch before the game began. "It was almost like a passing of the torch day," Dodgers catcher Ellis said. "The first pitch by Koufax and the last by Kersh."
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