Run Support

The Los Angeles Dodgers gave Opening Day starter Clayton Kershaw a month's worth of run support to the tune of 15 runs in the 15-0 rout of the San Diego Padres. Kershaw has often been the victim of lack of run support in his career but he was staked to an early 2-0 lead after the first inning and the Dodgers were just getting warmed up setting a few Opening Day records along the way. The 15-0 shutout win were the most runs scored in a shutout in Opening Day history.

The Dodgers used 37 year old second baseman Chase Utley in the leadoff spot and he had three hits and drove in two, rookie shortstop Corey Seager had a double that drove in the first Dodgers run, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had three hits and drove in three as he continued to torment his original team. Catcher A.J. Ellis also drove in three, two of those coming on a bouncer over a Padres drawn in infield in a five run sixth inning.

Kershaw was outstanding as he only gave up one hit and a walk in seven innings pitched and struck out nine. He improved his Opening Day record to 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA, one point behind Rick Mahler's Opening Day record of 0.92.

Dave Roberts did not have to do much managing in his managerial debut. The best move he made was pulling Kershaw after seven innings and 96 pitches. I believe the only way Kershaw is left out there is if he had a no-hitter going. Roberts did get some of the younger players in the game as Austin Barnes got in an inning at second base but had no fielding chances and outfielder Trayce Thompson doubled in a run in his only at official at bat and scored two runs.