Cards can’t sweep Dodgers

Dodgers’ starter Clayton Kershaw allowed just three hits over seven innings while allowing just one run as the Cardinal offense finally cooled off losing Thursday afternoon 4-1.

Josh Loney and Juan Pierre had RBI hits with two outs, and Manny Ramirez hit a two run homer off Cards’ starter Kyle Lohse in the third inning as the Dodgers built an early 4-0 lead.  Lohse was not particularly sharp early in this game and the Dodgers took advantage of early opportunities.

As for the Cards’ offense, they finished with four hits, and only drew five walks the entire game as Kershaw held the bats in check.  Cesar Izturis had two hits including an RBI in the bottom of the 5th.

The Cardinals get ready for a huge three game series in Chicago.  Trailing the Cubs by six games, while there is still time and plenty of games against the Cubs, a weekend sweep and falling nine games out could kill their division hopes.

Tony LaRussa postgame