Kershaw brilliant as Dodgers embarrass Padres, 15-0

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw works against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 4, 2016, in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Dave Roberts took a moment to soak up the atmosphere before his first game as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then it was time to play ball.

The Dodgers did that quite well Monday, getting a brilliant seven innings from Clayton Kershaw in a record-setting 15-0 victory against the San Diego Padres.

When it was over, reliever Yimi Garcia handed Roberts the game ball and Yasiel Puig and Adrian Gonzalez led a celebratory water and Gatorade bath.

It was the most lopsided opening day shutout in major league history. The previous mark was a 14-0 win by the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Cincinnati Reds in 1911, according to STATS.

“It was a good day,” Roberts said. “There were a lot of good things that happened. Obviously it starts with Kersh and the tone that he sets, him going out there and getting after guys. When you’ve got No. 1s going against each other, you don’t expect to get that many hits and score that many runs.”

Kershaw (1-0) allowed Jon Jay’s single to left field with two outs in the third and then retired his last 13 batters. The lefty struck out nine and walked one as he improved to 4-0 in six opening day starts.

Adrian Gonzalez had three of Los Angeles’ 17 hits and three RBIs, and A.J. Ellis also drove in three runs. Chase Utley had three hits and two RBIs.

Five straight Dodgers reached against Tyson Ross (0-1) with one out in the five-run sixth, with Kershaw’s single to center chasing the tall right-hander. Joc Pederson hit an RBI double and Ellis a two-run single.

“We just kept adding on and adding on. For me, it was just trying to have quick innings,” Kershaw said.

Roberts, who played for both the Dodgers and Padres, and San Diego first-year manager Andy Green exchanged lineup cards at the plate before the game. It was the first opening day meeting of two rookie skippers since Fredi Gonzalez of Florida and Manny Acta of Washington in 2007.

Roberts was on San Diego’s coaching staff the past five seasons, including the last two as bench coach, but couldn’t get an interview for the team’s managerial vacancy.

“I’m excited,” Kershaw said. “I knew one guy’s going to get their first one today. I’m just glad it was our guy. It’s got to be special for him to get his first one out of the way, and now it’s just kind of baseball.”

It was the worst opening day loss in the Padres’ 48-year history. San Diego had only four hits.

“Opening day is special. No one wants to come out and lay an egg on opening day and get beat 15-0,” Green said. “But it’s one of 162. Everybody gets smoked like this during the season. It’s not a big deal in the long run.”

Los Angeles Dodgers’ A.J. Ellis scores on a base bit by Clayton Kershaw as San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris takes in a late throw in the fifth inning of the Dodgers’ 15-0 victory over the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Monday, April 4, 2016, in San Diego.

BEATING ROSS

The Dodgers hit Ross right away. Utley doubled past a diving Jay in left field on Ross’ sixth pitch and scored when Corey Seager followed with a double to the gap. Gonzalez brought him in on a single to center. Gonzalez also hit an RBI single in the third and drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and scored on Trayce Thompson’s double to left.

Ross allowed eight runs, seven earned, and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out five and walked one.

CELEBRATION

Roberts said he was going to keep the jersey he wore Monday and was going to get a copy of the lineup card. He planned to head to his home in northern San Diego County and have a nice bottle of red wine and dinner with his family.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, will throw a batting practice session later this week, Roberts said. Second baseman Howie Kendrick, on the DL with a calf injury, will take batting practice this week.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: LHP Scott Kazmir is scheduled to make his first start for the Dodgers after going 7-11 with a 3.10 ERA with the Athletics and Astros last year.

Padres: RHP James Shields is scheduled to make his season debut. He was 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA last year.