Boston Red Sox win opening game of World Series

BOSTON — The Fenway Funhouse proved too tricky, too cold and just too much for the beach boys.

Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox came out swinging in the World Series opener, seizing every advantage in their quirky ballpark to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 on a chilly, windy Tuesday night.

Benintendi had four hits, Martinez drove in two early runs and pinch-hitter Eduardo Nunez golfed a three-run homer to seal it. The 108-win Red Sox got a solid effort from their bullpen after an expected duel between aces Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw never developed.

From the get-go, Fenway Park caused all sorts of problems for the Dodgers.

Mookie Betts led off for the Red Sox with a popup that twisted first baseman David Freese as he tried to navigate the tight foul space near the stands. Lost, he overran the ball and it dropped behind him.

Given a second chance, Betts lined a single that set up a two-run first inning.

“It was important for us to score first and kind of put some pressure on them,” Betts said.

In the seventh, left fielder Joc Pederson looked hesitant as he chased Benintendi’s soft fly, rushing toward the seats that jut out down the line. The ball ticked off his glove for a double, and shortly thereafter Nunez connected to break open a 5-4 game.

The crowd and cold temperatures were no picnic for Los Angeles, either. Chants of “Beat LA!” began early, while Kershaw got heckled with a sing-song serenade and Dodgers villain Manny Machado heard loud boos all evening.

It was 12 C at first pitch, the coldest game for L.A. this year and a contrast from last year’s World Series, when it was a record 39 C for the opener at Dodger Stadium.

Game 2 is tonight, when it’s supposed to be even colder. David Price, fresh from beating Houston in the ALCS clincher, starts for Boston, while the Dodgers are turning to Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Benintendi scored three times for Boston, trying for its fourth title in 15 years.

Matt Kemp homered and Justin Turner had three hits for the Dodgers, aiming for their first crown since 1988.

The Associated Press Boston Red Sox’s Eduardo Nunez reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night in Boston. The Red Sox won 8-4.

The Associated Press Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts hits a single to center field off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series.