Kershaw leaves Dodgers' opener with the flu

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, last year's National League Cy Young winner, had to leave the season-opening game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night because of the flu.

Kershaw made the start despite battling the illness, but he only made it through three innings. He did not give up any runs, yielding two hits and one walk while striking out three. He also had the Dodgers' first single.

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

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