In case you haven’t heard, which is hard to imagine considering Penny’s potent performance and the rest of the team at the plate to back him up, the Dodgers won their Opening Day game by shutting out the Giants, 5-0.
Penny went a strong six and 2/3 innings, retiring 13 batters before giving up only four hits. Proctor pitched 1/3 after Penny to close out the seventh. Joe Beimel and closer Saito then sealed the shutout victory, with the only hit coming off of Beimel in the eighth.
Jeff Kent proved he is healthy and at full strength when he belted a 2-run shot in his first at-bat. Furcal went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Kemp, Hu, Jones, Loney and DeWitt also logged hits for the team. Jones’ hit was his first as a Dodger, and DeWitt’s was his first of the majors (coming in his first at-bat).
More to Love about today’s Opening Day victory….
*This marks the beginning of a season-long celebration in honor of the Dodgers’ 50 years in LA.
*Penny contributes with more than pitching. He logged an RBI after a bobbled pop-up from Giants second baseman Ray Durham
*56,000 in attendance-ties the record for a regular season game at Dodger Stadium.
*A Joe Torre victory in a uniform without pinstripes.
