Not even the flu can defeat Clayton Kershaw.
Despite being hit hard by illness, Kershaw insisted on making his second consecutive Opening Day start in San Diego. He only lasted three scoreless innings, but a two-run homer by Matt Kemp helped the Dodgers win the season's first game, 5-3.
It was obvious that Kershaw wasn't feeling up to par, as his whole body language suggested that he's seen better days. However, he plowed through the first eight hitters in the Padres' order to open up the game. Edinson Volquez did the same for his squad.
In what has to be a rarity, it was those same two pitchers who each got their team's first hit of the game. Kershaw singled down the left field line with two down in the third, but was stranded on Dee Gordon's strikeout. Volquez started a two-out rally by dropping a liner in front of Kemp. Cameron "Tiki" Maybin singled, and after a wild pitch to put runners in scoring position, Chris Denorfia walked to load the bases. The Padres came up empty after Chase Headley struck out.
The Dodgers got things going in the fourth to back up their courageous pitcher. Kemp started it with a one-out single. A wild pitch put him up to second, followed by a walk to Andre Ethier and a single by Juan Rivera to load the bases. Volquez then became his own worst enemy by issuing a walk to James Loney, making it 1-0.
Ethier found himself running into an out, as he was just tagged out at home on a wild pitch to Juan Uribe. Well, I'm not so sure he was out on the replay, but that's a tough call when seeing it live. Uribe did indeed draw a walk to load the bases again, and then it was A.J. Ellis's turn to collect an RBI on a walk, and it was 2-0. Adam Kennedy hit for Kershaw and flew out.
From there it was Don Mattingly's job to piece together pitchers the rest of the game, and that he did. It started with Josh Lindblom's great performance. He pitched the fourth and fifth with ease, getting all six in order.
Also in the fifth, the Dodgers struck for another run. Gordon led off and hit a long fly to center that Maybin could not glove. Gordon went all the way to third on the error, and soon scored on Kemp's grounder to short in which Jason Bartlett bobbled for another error, and it was now 3-0.
Next up were Mike MacDougal and Matt Guerrier, who went the sixth and seventh, respectively. MacDougal got himself in a little bit of trouble, as he walked Will Venable with one out, who then stole second. With two outs, Jesus Guzman stroked an RBI double to make it 3-1. Guerrier got a double play ball from Bartlett to finish off the seventh.
Looking to increase their lead, Kemp made sure that happened with one mighty swing in the eighth. It started on a leadoff double by Mark Ellis, hitting in the #2 hole. Kemp then muscled one out to right for his first shot of the season, giving the Dodgers a 5-1 advantage.
It's a good thing Kemp got some extra runs, as Kenley Jansen gave those two runs right back in the bottom of the frame. Jeremy Hermida pinch-hit and hit an infield single leading off. Maybin then took a full count pitch and absolutely crushed it out to left, slashing the lead to 5-3. Jansen was able to settle down, getting the next three hitters in order.
In the ninth, the Dodgers threatened to blow the game wide open by loading the bases on a single by Ellis, a walk by Jerry Hairston, and a beaning by Ellis. Kemp had the big chance, but grounded out.
No matter, as Javy Guerra coolly picked up right where he left off last season, setting the Padres down in order and with ease to finish it off.
I give Kershaw all the credit in the world for toughing it out and giving the Dodgers all he could. He only lasted three innings for two hits, no runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Obviously, he didn't qualify for the win because starting pitchers have to go at least five innings to do so. But on the flip side, his ERA stayed at zero! He'll take it.
The bullpen was great for a couple of reasons. One, they were able to hold onto the lead they were given starting in the fourth. Two, there's no way they could have possibly imagined getting some action so early in the game. They probably thought they wouldn't get any at all! Can't blame them when Kershaw's on the mound.
In all, Lindblom, MacDougal, Guerrier, Jansen, and Guerra combined for six innings, three hits, three runs, two walks, and four strikeouts. Lindblom was especially impressive, as he was the last pitcher to make the roster, yet looked untouchable. Guerra reminded everyone how he got 21 saves last year. That was great timing on his part considering that Jansen struggled a bit.
About the only downsides were Gordon and Uribe's struggles at the plate. Gordon was 0-for-5 and looked a bit lost on breaking balls. Uribe looks just plain slow against fastballs. Not that I'm surprised about that, considering that he still looks like a giant bust. I hope I'll eventually be wrong, but it is what it is.
With the first win under their belts, the Dodgers will send Chad Billingsley to the mound on Friday. It seems like we say this a lot, but let's say it again - he has the stuff to be a front-end of the rotation guy, yet is so inconsistent, he becomes his own worst enemy. Let's see if he get off on the root foot.
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