Clayton Kershaw homers, pitches shutout for Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Then another Dodgers lefthander with a great curveball dominated.

Clayton Kershaw launched his first career home run to break a scoreless tie in the eighth inning before finishing off a four-hitter yesterday in a 4-0 win over the defending world champion Giants.

"He gave us seven chances to take care of it,'' catcher A.J. Ellis said, "and finally he said, 'That's enough. I'm going to take care of it.' "

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

"What an awesome feeling," said Kershaw, who charged around the bases accompanied by a prolonged roar from the sellout crowd of 53,000. "I probably wasn't feeling my feet hitting the ground."

Kershaw struck out seven, walked none and retired World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval on a grounder to end it. His curve was particularly effective in his sixth shutout -- three against the archrival Giants.

"I was able to throw it for strikes, which is key," Kershaw said. "That made it easier for them to chase. They were swinging early in counts."

The 2011 Cy Young Award winner began the day as a career .146 batter with only one extra-base hit in 261 at-bats. He struck out in his first two at-bats against Matt Cain, but he sent the first pitch from George Kontos over the centerfield wall, triggering a standing ovation.

After high-fiving his teammates, Kershaw tipped his cap from the dugout, a bit uncertain on the protocol because he'd never done it before. "As soon as I sat down,'' he said, "I had to think about getting three outs."

While Kershaw was resting after his home run, the Dodgers broke it open in a four-run eighth.

Kershaw became the first major-league pitcher to homer on Opening Day since Joe Magrane of St. Louis in 1988 and the first Dodgers pitcher to do it since Don Drysdale in 1965.

"I never knew what that felt like," said Kershaw, who homered in spring training four years ago and before that in high school.

Koufax, wearing his vintage No. 32 jersey, was a surprise guest for the ceremonial first ball. In 1964, he pitched the first Opening Day shutout at Dodger Stadium. "It was almost like a passing-of- the-torch day," Ellis said. "The first pitch by Koufax and the last by Kersh."

Kershaw, 25, was leery about having his name mentioned with that of Koufax, whom he's gotten to know during spring training.

"He was the best lefthanded pitcher ever," Kershaw said. "I'm honored with the comparisons, but I don't put any merit into it because I got a long way to go."

Kershaw tossed 94 pitches in his third consecutive Opening Day start. He hasn't allowed a run in any of them. He led the majors in ERA each of the previous two seasons, and there is speculation he soon will be rewarded with a long-term contract worth about $200 million.

Afterward, Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter hugged Kershaw, but the pitcher said getting in a quick negotiation "didn't cross my mind."