Dodgers blank Diamondbacks

PHOENIX – Clayton Kershaw was stringing together dominant, scoreless innings. Cody Bellinger ripped a first-inning homer into the bullpen.

The Los Angeles Dodgers already looked formidable even before their superstars started contributing big moments. Now that all appears well with their veteran ace and cleanup hitter – and with Mookie Betts delivering at the plate and in the field – the seven-time NL West champs seem even stronger in the 60-game sprint that’s the 2020 season.

Kershaw threw 5 2/3 sharp innings in his season debut, Bellinger hit his first home run of the season and the Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-0 on Sunday.

“It was fun, I missed it,” Kershaw said. “It was hard to miss opening day and I didn’t know how long it would take for my back to get better. It bounced back pretty quick, so I was just thankful to get out there today. Felt good, it was awesome.”

Betts homered and doubled before leaving early because of a finger injury on his left hand. 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 threetime 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-yearold 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-toback singles in the fourth inning. Kershaw retired the next two hitters, fanning Kole Calhoun to end the threat.

“He kept those guys guessing,” manager Dave Roberts said.

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 the NL MVP 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.

“I’m sure it was a weight off his shoulders,” Roberts said. “He had the mental day yesterday, then started today off with a two-run homer, which proved to be the difference . ... So I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Said Bellinger: “It felt great. But I know it’s going to be grind, it’s not going to be easy just because I