MLB: Dodgers defeat Cardinals 5-3 in NL playoff opener

LOS ANGELES — Randy Wolf and the Dodgers bullpen outpitched St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter, earning Los Angeles a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday night in an NL playoff opener full of missed chances for both teams.

Pitching in the playoffs for the first time in his 11-year career, Wolf lasted 3 2-3 innings against Carpenter, who came in with a career 5-1 record and 2.53 ERA in the postseason.

Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer off Carpenter in the first inning, giving the NL West champions the lead for good.

The teams set a division series record by stranding a combined 30 runners. The Dodgers left 16, including 12 in scoring position.

Offense was at a premium for both teams' sluggers. The Dodgers' Manny Ramirez went 1 for 4 with double and a walk, while Albert Pujols was 0 for 3 with two intentional walks for the NL Central champion Cardinals.

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. Against the Cardinals, the left-hander from the San Fernando Valley allowed two runs and six hits, walked five and struck out two.

Jeff Weaver, who relieved Wolf, got the victory, allowing one hit in 1 1-3 innings and striking out one. Jonathan Broxton pitched 1 1-3 innings earn the save.

Game 2 is Thursday at Dodger Stadium, with Clayton Kershaw, another playoff rookie, starting for Los Angeles against 19-game winner Adam Wainwright. Only once this season when Carpenter and Wainwright started back-to-back did St. Louis lose both games.

Carpenter, who was the NL's ERA leader while going 17-4 and went 2-0 against the Dodgers this season, gave up four runs and nine hits in five innings. The right-hander walked four and struck out three. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth when Casey Blake lined out to right.

Carpenter went 12-1 after the All-Star break, losing once since June 30. He allowed four runs just twice in that span.

The Cardinals reduced their deficit to 5-3 in the ninth, getting a two-out RBI double from Mark DeRosa. Broxton then struck out Rick Ankiel to end it.

Skip Schumaker's RBI double in the fourth cut the Dodgers' lead to 3-2. After Wolf hit Matt Holliday with a pitch to load the bases, Weaver came in.