HOUSTON, April 21 (UPI) -- Clayton Kershaw fired seven shutout innings and Matt Kemp homered for Los Angeles Saturday, elevating the Dodgers to a 5-1 win over Houston.
Kershaw (1-0) earned his first win of the season in dominating fashion, striking out nine Astros while yielding only three hits and issuing a pair of walks.
The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner tossed 61 of his 105 pitches for strikes.
Kemp's MLB-leading ninth homer came in the sixth inning and gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. Kemp also leads baseball with a .474 average and 22 RBI.
James Loney also homered and Andre Ethier drove in a pair of runs as NL West-leading Los Angeles improved to 12-3 to start the season.
Houston starter Kyle Weiland (0-3) surrendered three runs on six hits over seven frames.
