Dodgers bullpen keys opening win

LOS ANGELES (AP) — On a team without an ace starter, the Los Angeles Dodgers rely heavily on their bullpen. That strategy worked just fine in their NL playoff opener.

Randy Wolf survived a shaky first inning in his postseason debut before five relievers combined to give up one run in the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night in a game full of missed chances for both teams.

“It was a grind from the get-go, and that’s the way it’s going to be throughout the postseason,” said Jeff Weaver, who relieved Wolf and got the victory. “You’re facing good lineups and good pitching, and it’s going to be an out here or there that can make the difference in the game.”

After the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead off Wolf to start the game, Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer off Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter in the bottom half, giving the NL West champions the lead for good.

“When you get two runs on one swing, that definitely feels better,” Dodgers first baseman James Loney said. “Playing at home, you obviously want to take care of business here. The fans were into the game early, which is good.”

Wolf was the Dodgers’ most consistent starter this season, with a 2.98 ERA in the second half and just one loss since Aug. 1 for his hometown team.

St. LouisLos Angeles

abrhbiabrhbi

Schmkr 2b-cf3121Furcal ss4131

BrRyan ss5010Kemp cf5112

Pujols 1b3000Ethier rf3220

Hollidy lf4010MRmrz lf4010

Ludwck rf4121Loney 1b4020

YMolin c5010Blake 3b4021

DeRosa 3b5031Bellird 2b3110

Rasms cf2110OHudsn pr-2b0000

Glaus ph1000RMartn c2001

Hwksw p0000Wolf p2000

MBggs p0000JefWvr p0000

Ankiel ph1000Pierre ph0000

Crpntr p2000Belisari p0000

DReyes p0000Thome ph1000

McCllln p0000Kuo p0000

TMiller p0000Sherrill p0000

Lugo 2b1000Broxtn p1000

Totals363113Totals335125

St. Louis100100001—3

Los Angeles20101100x—5

DP—St. Louis 1, Los Angeles 1. LOB—St. Louis 14, Los Angeles 16. 2B—Schumaker (1), Br.Ryan (1), DeRosa (1), Rasmus (1), Ethier (1), M.Ramirez (1). 3B—Furcal (1). HR—Kemp (1). S—C.Carpenter, Pierre. SF—Furcal.

IPHRERBBSO

St. Louis

C.Carpenter L,0-1594443

D.Reyes011100

McClellan2-310010

T.Miller1-300001

Hawksworth110011

M.Boggs100021

Los Angeles

Wolf3 2-362252

Jef.Weaver W,1-01 1-310001

Belisario H,1100000

Kuo H,1120002

Sherrill H,1 2-300000

Broxton S,1-11 1-321102

D.Reyes pitched to 1 batter in the 6th. HBP—by C.Carpenter (Ethier), by McClellan (R.Martin), by Wolf (Holliday), by Sherrill (Schumaker). Umpires—Home, Dana DeMuth; First, Brian O’Nora; Second, Mike Everitt; Third, Jeff Nelson; Right, Tony Randazzo; Left, Ed Rapuano. T—3:54. A—56,000.