LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Then another Dodgers left-hander with a great curveball dominated.

Clayton Kershaw launched his first career home run to break a scoreless tie in the eighth inning before finishing off a four-hitter Monday that led Los Angeles over the defending champion San Francisco Giants 4-0 on Opening Day.

"He gave us seven chances to take care of it, and finally he said, 'That's enough. I'm going to take care of it,'" catcher A.J. Ellis said.

Kershaw became the first pitcher to throw a shutout and hit a home run in an opener since Bob Lemon for Cleveland in 1953, according to STATS.

"What an awesome feeling," said Kershaw, who charged around the bases accompanied by a prolonged roar from the sellout crowd of 53,000. "I probably wasn't feeling my feet hitting the ground."

Kershaw struck out seven, walked none and retired World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval on a grounder to end it. His curveball was particularly effective in his sixth career shutout -- three against the Giants.

"I was able to throw it for strikes, which is key," he said. "That made it easier for them to chase. They were swinging early in counts."

The former Cy Young winner began the day as a career .146 batter with only one extra-base hit in 261 at-bats. He struck out in his first two at-bats. But he sent the first pitch from George Kontos (0-1) over the center-field wall, triggering a standing ovation on a cool and sunny day.

After high-fiving his teammates, Kershaw tipped his cap from the dugout, a bit uncertain on the protocol since he'd never done it before.

"As soon as I sat down, I had to think about getting three outs," he said.

Ellis described the dugout scene as "pandemonium."

"To see that joy on his face when he was rounding third, it was great to see because usually he's so focused," the catcher said. "Everyone is going to say they were at the Kershaw home run game, even though only 53,000 were here."