Dodgers 2, Giants 1
Clayton Kershaw struck out nine in seven scoreless innings to give new manager Don Mattingly his first career win as the Los Angeles Dodgers posted a 2-1 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
San Francisco starter Tim Lincecum nearly matched Kershaw’s effort, allowing one unearned run on five hits with five strikeouts in seven innings. The Giants didn't help themselves by committing three errors in this one.
After Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a scoreless eighth inning, closer Jonathan Broxton gave up a solo home run to Pat Burrell in the ninth before earning his first save after a shaky spring training.
In the seventh inning, Matt Kemp walked and moved to third on shortstop Miguel Tejada’s error. Kemp scored when catcher Buster Posey’s pickoff attempt got past third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
The Dodgers scored in the eighth off reliever Santiago Casilla, who walked Kemp to open the inning. After Kemp stole second, James Loney recorded his first RBI with double to deep right.
Kershaw, the Dodgers’ youngest opening day starter since Fernando Valenzuela in 1983, allowed four hits and walked just one.
Giants’ rookie first baseman Brandon Belt went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game in the majors.