Cardinals club WBC star in 4-2 win over Dodgers

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Jae Seo made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, allowing three runs and eight hits in five innings during a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Seo was the top starter for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, going 2-0 with an 0.64 ERA in 14 innings. He worked five scoreless innings in his team's 6-0 loss to Japan in the semifinals last Saturday in San Diego.

"I was definitely not satisfied with my performance," Seo said. "I think the jet lag from the World Baseball Classic is still affecting me."

The Dodgers acquired the 28-year-old right-hander from the New York Mets in January along with left-handed reliever Tim Hamulack for right-handed relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.

Seo is expected to be the Dodgers' No. 5 starter, behind Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Odalis Perez and Brett Tomko. Manager Grady Little said Thursday's outing will not change the team's plan.

Jeff Suppan worked six innings for St. Louis, allowing four hits and two runs with two strikeouts. Jim Edmonds had two hits and an RBI and Suppan, David Eckstein and Gary Bennett each drove in a run for the Cardinals.

Rafael Furcal went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Dodgers.

Notes: The Cardinals returned right-hander Juan Mateo, a Rule 5 draft pick, to the Chicago Cubs. ... The Dodgers optioned outfielder Andre Ethier to Triple-A Las Vegas and reassigned right-hander Takashi Saito to their minor league camp. Saito is also expected to start the season with Las Vegas, pitching out of the bullpen. ... Outfielder Cody Ross was hit by a pitch Wednesday in the Dodgers' game against the New York Mets. Los Angeles was concerned Ross broke his wrist, but the injury was diagnosed as a deep bruise.