Ramirez shines in debut but Dodgers lose to Cards

"I was like 'Whoa, that can't be true,'" Kemp said. "And then I saw more tweets and more and I was like 'Wow, I guess this is true.'"

Prior to the trade, the Dodgers were in the bottom half of the National League in most offensive categories.

Mattingly advised Ramirez to take a deep breath and just be himself. He said he wouldn't worry about whatever happened in the past

"I'm sure he's going to want to show people he can play," Mattingly said. "But we'll be mindful of just reminding him that we just want him to play.

"Have good at-bats, play the game, and do his thing. That's all we'll ask."

NOTES: David Freese had two hits for St. Louis. He is batting .565 (13 for 23) during an eight-game hitting streak. ... Dodgers starter Chris Capuano (10-5) can match his win total for 2011 with a victory Thursday. He'll have to reverse some history — he is winless in five career games at Busch Stadium (0-3, 7.04 ERA). ... Lohse's quality start was the 20th in a row for the Cardinals.

AP freelancer Mark McColl contributed to this report.