Clayton Kershaw leaves Dodgers opener with flu

SAN DIEGO -- Clayton Kershaw must have been spending too much time around Andre Ethier.

Ethier missed Saturday’s Freeway Series game against the Angels with a stomach bug, and it apparently made its way to Clayton Kershaw.

Kershaw started the season opener for the Dodgers on Thursday, despite battling the flu.

After three innings, however, the flu won and Kershaw left the game against the Padres.

Kershaw did not give up a run in his three innings, walking one and striking out one. He also had the Dodgers’ first single, so at least he left with a perfect ERA and batting average.

The decision to start Kershaw could come back to haunt the Dodgers, however, as they will now have to use much of their bullpen in the first game of the year. The Dodgers have three more games scheduled against the Padres over the weekend.

Josh Lindblom, making his first appearance on an opening-day roster, took over for Kershaw to start the fourth.

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Clayton Kershaw leaves Dodgers opener with the flu