LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was miffed by Major League Baseball's decision to suspend him for a game and tag him with an undisclosed fine for his role in a benches-clearing fracas with the Rangers on Wednesday.
On Friday, Kemp decided to appeal the league's decision, enabling him to play in Los Angeles' series opener against the Giants later in the evening.
The decision appears to have paid off well.
Kemp uncorked a solo home run -- his 11th blast of the year -- off San Francisco starter Derek Holland during the bottom of the fourth inning, giving Los Angeles a 2-0 lead.