Sports

Dodgers’ Kershaw blasts HR, blanks Giants

Clayton Kershaw launched his first career home run to break a scoreless tie in the eighth inning, then finished off a four-hitter yesterday that led the Dodgers over the Giants 4-0 on Opening Day in Los Angeles.

Kershaw became the first pitcher to throw a shutout and hit a home run in an opener since Bob Lemon for Cleveland in 1953, STATS said.

Kershaw struck out seven, walked none and retired World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval on a grounder to end it.

The former Cy Young winner began the day as a career .146 batter with only one extra-base hit in 261 at-bats. But he sent the first pitch from George Kontos (0-1) over the center-field wall, triggering a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 53,000.

Braves 7, Phillies 5

In Atlanta, Freddie Freeman drove in three runs with three hits, including a home run, and the Braves beat Cole Hamels and the Phillies.

Dan Uggla and Justin Upton, making his Braves debut, also homered for Atlanta.

Hamels (0-1) struggled in his first Opening Day start. He gave up five runs on seven hits, including the three homers, with five strikeouts in five innings.

Cubs 3, Pirates 1

In Pittsburgh, Jeff Samardzija struck out nine in eight nearly flawless innings and the Cubs held on to win on Opening Day for the first time since 2009. Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer and Wellington Castillo added an RBI double for the Cubs.

Kyuji Fujikawa got a save in his major league debut after closer Carlos Marmol struggled.

Brewers 5, Rockies 4

In Milwaukee, Jonathan Lucroy hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to lift the Brewers, ruining the first game for new Rockies manager Walt Weiss.

Rickie Weeks sparked the winning rally when he stole second after he was hit by a pitch with one out.

D-backs 6, Cardinals 2

In Phoenix, Ian Kennedy struck out eight in seven strong innings and the Diamondbacks used 15 hits to beat St. Louis and Adam Wainwright.

Angels 3, Reds 1 (13)

In Cincinnati, Chris Iannetta hit a solo homer and a bases-loaded single in the 13th inning, powering the Angels over the Reds in the majors’ first interleague season opener.

Both teams emptied their benches and bullpens before Iannetta — who caught all 13 innings — provided the breakout hit.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto gave up three hits in seven innings, including Iannetta’s solo homer in the second.

Mariners 2, Athletics 0

In Oakland, Felix Hernandez struck out eight over 7 2/3 innings in his first start since signing a $175 million, seven-year contract in February. Franklin Gutierrez hit a two-run single in the fifth to break a scoreless tie.

Tigers 4, Twins 2

In Minneapolis, Justin Verlander won on Opening Day for the first time in six tries, pitching five shutout innings at frosty Target Field to power the defending AL champion Tigers.

Phil Coke got the last two outs for the first save by the Tigers’ closer committee.

White Sox 1, Royals 0

In Chicago, Chris Sale outpitched James Shields, Tyler Flowers homered and the White Sox beat the Royals.