Kershaw bounces back, Dodgers beat winless A's 5-1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw struck out eight in seven smooth innings to send the Athletics to their worst start in more than a century, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat winless Oakland 5-1 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.

Mookie Betts homered for the first time this season, a towering solo shot to left-center in the ninth. Max Muncy and Edwin Rios also went deep for the World Series champion Dodgers (5-1).

At 0-6, the A’s have matched the poorest start in franchise history. The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics also began the season with six consecutive losses.

Oakland and Atlanta (0-4) are the only winless teams in the majors.

Knocked around in his first outing when he lost at Colorado on opening day – the Dodgers' lone defeat this season – Kershaw (1-1) was much more crisp against slumping Oakland. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner allowed one run and four hits, didn’t walk a batter and retired 20 of 22 following Ramón Laureano’s RBI double in the first.

Kershaw also got a little help from instant replay.

Stephen Piscotty appeared to hit a two-out homer down the left-field line in the fourth, although no signal was given by third base umpire Brian Gorman or plate ump Adrian Johnson. Piscotty rounded the bases and crossed home plate as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts protested. After all four umpires met in the infield and ruled the ball foul, A’s manager Bob Melvin asked for a replay review and the call was confirmed. Piscotty then grounded out.

Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen retired three batters apiece for Los Angeles to close it out.

Jed Lowrie had two hits and scored Oakland’s only run.

A’s starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) gave up nine hits and four runs in six innings.

MORELAND STARTS, SHINES AT 1B

With injured Oakland...

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