Hiroki kuroda

DENVER - Todd Helton knew early on that teammate Troy Tulowitzki was in for a big game even before the young shortstop did.

SAN FRANCISCO - Matt Kemp hit a three-run double to back a strong effort from Hiroki Kuroda and help the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers win the opener of their key three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, 4-2 Monday night.