Kershaw sharp in return, Bellinger HR, Dodgers blank D-backs

PHOENIX (AP) — Clayton Kershaw threw 5 2/3 sharp innings in his season debut, NL MVP Cody Bellinger hit his first home run of the season and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-0 on Sunday.

Mookie Betts homered ans doubled before leaving early because of an injury. The Dodgers won three times in the four-game series, and have taken five of six overall.

Kershaw (1-0) gave up three hits, walked none and struck out six. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was supposed to make his ninth opening day start on July 23, but was scratched hours before the game because of a back injury suffered in the weight room.

In his return, the 32-year-old Kershaw threw 81 pitches. He retired his first 10 batters and his fastball was in the 92-94 mph range.

The left-hander didn’t allow a baserunner until Starling Marte and Christian Walker hit back-to-back singles in the fourth inning. Kershaw retired the next two hitters, fanning Kole Calhoun to end the threat.

Bellinger got a rare day off on Saturday after starting the season with a .139 batting average and no homers through eight games. The rest appeared to do him good: He hit a full-count changeup from Merrill Kelly (1-1) into the right field bullpen for a two-run homer in the first.

Betts hit a home run that splashed into the Chase Field swimming pool beyond the right-center field wall in the fifth inning. He appeared to hurt his finger earlier in the at-bat, and the star right fielder was pulled for a pinch hitter in the seventh. X-rays on Betts were negative.

Kenley Jansen earned his second save with a scoreless ninth. Bellinger secured the final out when he made a difficult running catch in deep center field.

The Diamondbacks came into the game hitting just .199 through nine games and couldn't muster much...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Kershaw-sharp-in-return-Bellinger-HR-Dodgers-15453210.php