For a second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Dodgers began their regular-season schedule with a series against the San Diego Padres. However, the scene shifted to Petco Park this season, in a matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Tyson Ross.
Chase Utley batted leadoff for only the 12th time in his career, and opened the game with a double to left-center field that Jon Jay was unable to make a diving catch on. Utley quickly came around to score on Corey Seager’s RBI double over Melvin Upton Jr.’s head in left field.
Adrian Gonzalez tacked on another run with an RBI single to center before Ross could get out of the inning by striking out Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford. Kershaw began the bottom of the first with a swinging strikeout of Jay.
Derek Norris flied out to deep right and Matt Kemp grounded out to close a quick and quiet first inning for the Padres. Ross had a successful second inning, retiring Joc Pederson, A.J. Ellis and Kershaw in order.
Kershaw collected his second strikeout of the game and worked around a two-out walk in the bottom of the second to protect the Dodgers’ 2-0 lead. Utley reached base a second time in the game as he was hit by a pitch to start the third.
Justin Turner lined a double down the left field, but the Padres executed a perfect relay to nail Utley at home plate. While it cost the Dodgers a run at the time, Gonzalez helped ease the sting with an RBI single. Puig extended the inning with a walk, but Crawford grounded into a force out.
CONTINUE READING: Clayton Kershaw overpowers Padres, Dodgers offense explodes
