More: Relaxed Ethier Delivers for Dodgers
Andre Ethier hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon in the home opener at Dodger Stadium. Ethier's home run was his second of the season, and came on his 30th birthday.
"If I could kiss my twenties goodbye this is the way to do it," Ethier said after the game.
The home run by Ethier, off Pirates reliever Jason Grilli, broke a 1-1 tie, after both starters pitched quite well. Clayton Kershaw, five days removed from the stomach flu but still not quite 100%, threw 88 pitches in seven innings, allowing just one run. Kershaw walked none and struck out seven.
Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia allowed a single run as well, in six frames.
Matt Kemp drove in Dee Gordon for the Dodgers' first run, in the first inning. That gave Kemp an RBI in nine straight games, dating back to last season, tying the franchise record set by Augie Galan in 1944 and Roy Campanella in 1955.
The Dodgers (4-1) host the Pirates (2-2) again on Wednesday night, with Chad Billingsley facing Erik Bedard.
For more news and notes on Vin Scully and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.