BOSTON (AP) The Fenway Funhouse proved too tricky, too cold and just too much for the beach boys.
Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox came out swinging in the World Series opener, seizing every advantage in their quirky ballpark to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 on a chilly, windy Tuesday night.
Benintendi had four hits, Martinez drove in two early runs and pinch-hitter Eduardo Nunez golfed a three-run homer to seal it. The 108-win Red Sox got a solid effort from their bullpen after an expected duel between aces Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw never developed.
From the get-go, Fenway Park caused all sorts of problems for the Dodgers.
Mookie Betts led off for the Red Sox with a popup that twisted first baseman David Freese as he tried to navigate the tight foul space near the stands. Lost, he overran the ball and it dropped behind him.
Given a second chance, Betts lined a single that set up a two-run first inning.
It was important for us to score first and kind of put some pressure on them, Betts said.
In the seventh, left fielder Joc Pederson looked hesitant as he chased Benintendis soft fly, rushing toward the seats that jut out down the line. The ball ticked off his glove for a double, and soon Nunez connected to break open a 5-4 game.
The crowd and cold temperatures were no picnic for Los Angeles, either.
The oddly angled ballpark became an echo chamber even before the first pitch. Chants of Beat LA! began early, Kershaw got heckled with a sing-song serenade and Dodgers villain Manny Machado heard loud boos all evening.
Only one person wearing Dodger blue drew a cheer: Manager Dave Roberts, saluted in pregame introductions for the daring steal that turned the tide in Bostons 2004 playoff comeback against the Yankees.
It was 53 degrees at first pitch, the coldest game for Los Angeles this year and quite a contrast from last years World Series, when it was a record 103 degrees for the opener at Dodger Stadium.
Game 2 is Wednesday night, when its supposed to be even colder. David Price, fresh from beating Houston in the ALCS clincher, starts against Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Benintendi scored three times for Boston, trying for its fourth championship in 15 years.
Matt Kemp homered and Justin Turner had three hits for the Dodgers, aiming for their first crown since 1988. Machado drove in three runs, and his RBI grounder in the fifth inning made it 3-all.
