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 LOS ANGELES (AP) - Brad Penny became the first starting pitcher to open a season 12-1 for the Dodgers since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1958, and Matt Kemp's three-run homer keyed a comeback from a four-run deficit in an 8-6 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday.
The only other pitcher to start 12-1 for the Dodgers since the exodus from Brooklyn was reliever Phil (The Vulture) Regan, who won 14 of his 15 decisions in 1966. Three others got off to 11-1 starts in L.A. — including Sandy Koufax (1966), Rick Rhoden (1976) and Doug Rau (1977).
Penny, whose only loss was a 9-1 drubbing by the Angels down the freeway in Anaheim on May 18, allowed four runs — three earned — and six hits in 6 1-3 innings while winning his seventh straight decision. It was only the third time in his last 11 starts that the two-time All-Star allowed more than one run.
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