Dodgers down Diamondbacks 3-1 in MLB season opener Down Under

The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw throws the first pitch of the Major League Baseball 2014 season during the opening game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks today at the Sydney Cricket ground.

SYDNEY -- Ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw started the payback on his $200 million contract when he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opening game of the 2014 major league season today in Australia.

The Dodgers took the lead in the second innings on an Andre Ethier RBI and outfielder Scott Van Slyke delighted the 38,266 crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he made it 3-0 with a two-run homer to rightfield in the fourth.

Arizona finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth when a Mark Trumbo RBI allowed first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to cross home plate but D-Backs starting pitcher Wade Miley had already been pulled and took the loss.

Double Cy Young winner Kershaw, who signed the richest contract ever for a pitcher in January worth $30 million a season, allowed five hits and struck out seven batters in 6 2/3rd innings for the win.