Dodgers seize 2-0 series lead

NLDs

Matt Holliday’s ninth-inning error has the Cardinals on the brink of elimination.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — All that Matt Holliday needed to do was make the catch, and the Cardinals would have tied the series.

Instead, his error gave Los Angeles a second chance, and St. Louis wound up on the brink of elimination.

Holliday dropped a sinking line drive with two outs in the ninth inning, leading to a two-run rally by the Dodgers that gave them a 3-2 victory Thursday.

Ronnie Belliard and pinch-hitter Mark Loretta came through with RBI singles off closer Ryan Franklin, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NL playoff series.

Game 3 is Saturday in St. Louis.

The Cardinals got a second-inning homer from Holliday and a stellar performance from starter Adam Wainwright, who left with a 2-1 lead after eight innings. Still, St. Louis went home empty-handed after opening the series with two Cy Young Award candidates on the mound: Chris Carpenter and Wainwright.

“Right now we’re feeling disappointed, upset,” manager Tony La Russa said. “Right now, I think it’s important to get upset. To turn the page too quickly, it means you don’t care.”

With the bases empty in the ninth and St. Louis on the verge on tying the series, Holliday charged in on James Loney’s liner to left field. But the ball hit his midsection and dropped to the grass, allowing Loney to reach second.

Franklin walked Casey Blake before Belliard singled up the middle, scoring pinch-runner Juan Pierre. A passed ball moved runners up to second and third, and Franklin walked Russell Martin on four pitches to load the bases.

Loretta, batting for reliever George Sherrill, was 0 for 15 in his career against Franklin before fisting a soft single to center that drove in Blake. That triggered a huge celebration, with teammates jumping on Loretta in a pile between first and second base.

“Unfortunately, I did know the numbers,” Loretta said. “This series is far from over. St. Louis is a very talented team. We’re going to have to keep battling as hard as we can.”

The late rally was nothing new for the Dodgers. They won 23 regular-season games in their final at-bat, most in the National League, according to STATS LLC.

“I think it’s just the confidence we have in the last inning,” Loretta said.

Holliday was a huge reason the Cardinals won the NL Central. Acquired from Oakland in a trade in late July, the slugger’s hitting tear helped St. Louis cruise to the division title.

His fielding gaffe on Thursday, however, cost the Cardinals dearly.

Sherrill got the win for the Dodgers, in position for a sweep in the opening round for the second consecutive year. Last year, they won the first two games at Wrigley Field before closing out the Chicago Cubs at home in Game 3.

Franklin took the loss, spoiling an outstanding effort by Wainwright.

The NL leader with 19 victories, Wainwright allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked one. That followed a subpar outing by Carpenter, who lasted only five innings and took the loss in Game 1.

Wainwright was 1-0 with four saves when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series in their last playoff appearance, making him the first pitcher since Bob Welch to save a World Series game and then start a postseason game.

Trever Miller started the ninth and retired Andre Ethier on a popup before turning it over to Franklin.

St. LouisLos Angeles

abrhbiabrhbi

Lugo 2b4020Furcal ss3010

BrRyan ss4000Kemp cf4000

Pujols 1b3010Ethier rf4111

Hollidy lf4111MRmrz lf4000

Ludwck rf4010Loney 1b4000

YMolin c4010Pierre pr0100

DeRosa 3b4120Blake 3b3100

Rasms cf4021Bellird 2b4011

Wnwrg p2000RMartn c3010

Glaus ph1000Kershw p2000

TMiller p0000Belisari p0000

Frnkln p0000Broxtn p0000

Thome ph0000

OHudsn pr0000

Sherrill p0000

Loretta ph1011

Totals342102Totals32353

St. Louis010000100—2

Los Angeles000100002—3

Two outs when winning run scored.

E—Holliday (1). DP—Los Angeles 1. LOB—St. Louis 7, Los Angeles 7. 2B—Lugo (1), Rasmus (2). HR—Holliday (1), Ethier (1). SB—Lugo (1). S—Wainwright.

IPHRERBBSO

St. Louis

Wainwright831117

T.Miller H,1 1-300000

Franklin L,0-1 BS,1-1 1-322020

Los Angeles

Kershaw6 2-392214

Belisario1-300000

Broxton100000

Sherrill W,1-0110000

HBP—by Wainwright (Thome). WP—Kershaw. PB—Y.Molina. Umpires—Home, Brian O’Nora; First, Mike Everitt; Second, Jeff Nelson; Third, Ed Rapuano; Right, Dana DeMuth; Left, Tony Randazzo.T—3:07. A—51,819.