Ryu, Dodgers tight as Braves shut out

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprising and much talked-about decision to start Hyun-Jin Ryu over Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the NL division series. Excellent choice.

The South Korean lefthander pitched seven dominant innings and Los Angeles launched three home runs to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-0 on Thursday night.

Ryu delivered in his first postseason start since 2014. He allowed 4 singles — all with 2 outs — struck out 8 and walked none.

“I think we feel pretty good about it. He pitched well. He pitched well,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said.

The only slip Ryu made was when he mistook the second out of the fourth inning for the last out and started walking toward the dugout. He laughed upon realizing the gaffe.

Ryu, 31, missed 3 / months of the season with a groin strain and returned Aug. 15 to post a 1.88 ERA in 522/3 innings. Dodgers great Sandy Koufax was among those who gave Ryu a standing ovation as he walked to the dugout after his final pitch.

The Dodgers set franchise and National League records by hitting 235 home runs during the regular season, and their tear continued with three more to begin their playoffs. The defending NL champions actually were outhit 6-5 by Atlanta, but the Braves only got singles.

Game 2 in the best-of-five matchup is today at Dodger Stadium, with Kershaw starting for Los Angeles against Anibal Sanchez.

The Braves have lost eight consecutive series openers in the postseason. They haven’t won a Game 1 since 2001 when they went on to sweep Houston in the NLDS.

Rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. struck out twice and went 0 for 4 as the Braves were blanked. This was Atlanta’s first playoff appearance since 2013, when they lost to the Dodgers in four games.

Ryu allowed a two-out single to Freddie Freeman in the first.

After that, he retired 12 consecutive batters before a pair of two-out singles to Ender Inciarte and former Dodger Charlie Culberson in the fifth. Puig charged in on pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki’s fly to right field to end the inning. The Braves didn’t advance a runner past second base in the game.

AP/JAE C. HONG Los Angeles left fielder Joc Pederson celebrates his leadoff home run Thursday as he rounds the bases during the Dodgers’ 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of their National League division series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The home run was Pederson’s only hit of the game.

AP/JAE C. HONG Los Angeles starter Hyun-Jin Ryu went 7 innings Thursday, allowing just 4 hits with 8 strikeouts to lead the Dodgers over the Braves in Los Angeles.