Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Clayton Kershaw put forth a Cy Young-worthy effort with a 12-strikeout performance, and behind an early offensive outburst, the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to steal home field from the Atlanta Braves with a 6-1 victory in Game 1 of this Division Series at Turner Field.

The Dodgers plated five runs over their first four turns at the plate to provide more than enough support for Kershaw (1-0), who cut down the Atlanta hitters one after another in scattering just a run on three hits over a dominant seven-inning stint.

The NL-West Champions totaled 11 hits, with nine of them coming off Kris Medlen (0-1). The Braves starter lasted just four-plus innings and was charged with five runs -- including a two-run homer to Adrian Gonzalez in the third inning that all but silenced the home crowd for the remainder of the evening.

Yasiel Puig had two hits, as did Mark Ellis and A.J. Ellis, who each scored a run and finished with an RBI. Skip Schumaker contributed a sacrifice fly to the win.

The Braves, coming off their first NL East title since their run of 14 straight ended in 2005, managed just five hits on the evening. They will look to bounce back and even the series on Friday night in Game 2.