Hernandez 5 RBIs, Dodgers beat Giants 8-1 in fan-less opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kiké Hernández homered and drove in five runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the rival San Francisco Giants 8-1 in a fan-less ballpark as baseball’s shortened season opened on Thursday night.

Mookie Betts, who took a knee during the national anthem, went 1 for 5 in his Dodgers debut. Betts struck out swinging in his first at-bat a day after signing a $365 million deal over 12 years.

Justin Turner grounded into a fielder's choice and Betts beat a throw to the plate to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the seventh. The Giants lost their appeal of the call after Betts slid head-first.

Betts struck out with the bases loaded to end a five-run inning that made it 6-1.

Adam Kolarek (1-0) got the victory with 1 2/3 innings of relief.

Dustin May became the first Dodgers rookie to start on opening day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 when Clayton Kershaw couldn’t go because of a back issue. It was similar to when Valenzuela was a late replacement for the injured Jerry Reuss back then.

May allowed seven hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings. The 6-foot-6 right-hander struck out four and walked none.

May was originally not on the 30-man roster and the 22-year-old found himself pressed into duty after Kershaw's back stiffened during a weight room workout on Tuesday.

Pablo Sandoval's sacrifice fly scored San Francisco's lone run. Tyler Rogers (0-1) took the loss.

The sounds of the game were amplified with only cardboard cutouts of fans in areas of the stands.

The crack of the bat on a sharply hit ball. The DJ's music echoing. Foul balls clunking loudly upon landing in the seats. The home plate umpire's third-strike calls easily heard. Teammates yelled reminders to Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson about which base to throw to after he snagged a fly ball in...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Hernandez-5-RBIs-Dodgers-beat-Giants-8-1-in-15430836.php