Dodgers defeat Astros in Game 1 of World Series behind Clayton Kershaw and pair of homers

William Laws, AOL.com
Updated

The Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 of the World Series on their home field Tuesday night, defeating the Houston Astros 3-1 as ace Clayton Kershaw silenced doubters of his postseason prowess with seven dominant innings.

Kershaw allowed one run, struck out 11 hitters and walked none against an Astros offense that scored the most runs and struck out the fewest times in the Majors during the regular season.

Both Kershaw and Houston starter Dallas Keuchel worked quickly, with the game wrapping up in a tidy two hours and 28 minutes to mark the shortest playoff game since 1992.

The contest was also the hottest postseason game in recorded MLB history with a 103-degree temperature at first pitch, but Dodger Stadium was rumbling with anticipation nonetheless as it hosted its first World Series game since the club won the championship in 1988.

Center fielder and leadoff hitter Chris Taylor quickly distracted fans from the heat in the first inning when he launched the first pitch he saw from Houston starter Dallas Keuchel into the left field stands.

Astros third baseman Alex Bregman briefly silenced the crowd with a solo shot of his own in the fourth inning off Kershaw to tie the game, and the teams traded zeros until the bottom of the sixth.

It only made sense that co-National League Championship Series MVP Justin Turner was the one to break the tie, as the shaggy-haired third baseman connected on a two-run homer off Keuchel to provide the game-winning blow.

Kershaw and Dodgers relievers Brandon Morrow and Kenley Jansen settled the affair from there, only allowing one baserunner in the final three innings to clinch the Dodgers their first World Series win in nearly 30 years.

Meanwhile, the Astros fell to 0-5 all-time in the Fall Classic, and will look to bounce back with the franchise's first World Series victory on Wednesday.