Cardinals get a big lift from former ace

ST. LOUIS -- Alan Benes waited a long, long time for this.

Benes, making his first start in more than four years, threw six strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 Saturday in a matchup of wild card contenders.

"He's had a long road, and people were talking about whether he was ever going to come back," catcher Mike Matheny said. "It's one of those stories you just love to see and be a part of."

Benes (2-0) allowed only three hits, including Shawn Green's 46th home run. He struck out six and walked three.

"I don't throw as hard as I used to," Benes said. "Other than that, I'm still the same as I was in 1996 and '97."

Little did Benes know that the Cardinals would end up using nine pitchers, tying a major league record for a nine-inning game, to ensure the victory.

"I'll tell you what about that manager over there, you're never going to catch him with his pants down, that's for sure," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said of Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. "When you're playing in September with an expanded roster, you pick and choose, you mix and match."

Jim Edmonds homered and Albert Pujols had a two-run single in the Cardinals' five-run fourth against James Baldwin (2-4). Matheny and Placido Polanco also drove in runs in the big inning.

The Dodgers dropped a half-game behind San Francisco for the NL wild card spot.

Benes, 29, made his first start since July 30, 1997, when he was lost with a shoulder injury that caused him to undergo two surgeries and miss 2 1/2 seasons.

Benes was 7-6 with a 3.55 ERA for Triple-A Memphis with a 1.89 ERA in his last seven starts before being recalled on Friday. Benes started in place of rookie Bud Smith, who was rested after throwing 134 pitches in his no-hitter against the Padres on Monday.

Benes could again take the turn of Smith next Thursday at Milwaukee. The Cardinals are concerned that Smith, 21, has thrown 177 2-3 innings this season.

"If Bud's not ready, we'll start Alan again," manager La Russa said.

Mark Grudzielanek hit a two-out, two-run homer in the Dodgers' ninth off Mike Timlin.

After Green singled off Jeff Tabaka, Gene Stechschulte got the last out for his fourth save. St. Louis used three pitchers in the ninth inning alone.

"It's a September game," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "We needed them all."

Green broke the Dodgers' franchise record with homers Nos. 44 and 45 on Friday, and added a two-run shot. He is 8-for-11 in his last three games with four homers and seven RBIs.

Baldwin lasted four innings, giving up five runs and 10 hits. He's lost his last three starts, surrendering 15 earned runs in 15 innings.

"I'll get back to where I need to be, I promise you that," Baldwin said. "We're going to work on it, whatever it is, and I'm going to get ready for my next start."

The Dodgers closed to 5-3 in the seventh, but Dave Veres struck out Gary Sheffield with the bases loaded to end the inning. Veres left with a strained right hamstring in the eighth and La Russa said he'd like be out several days.

J.D. Drew, who had three hits, hit a sacrifice fly in the Cardinals' eighth.

NOTES: Cardinals 2B Fernando Vina was a late lineup scratch after having fluid removed from his left ankle. He was replaced in the leadoff slot by Polanco but said he would play Sunday. "It was just a good day to take off, instead of being gung-ho," Vina said. "I need to be smart." ... Green has 116 RBIs, the most by a Dodgers left-handed hitter since Duke Snider had 136 in 1955. Green has a major-league high 26 homers since the All-Star break. ... Adrian Beltre had two hits and has a 14-game hitting streak. He's batting .293 (17-for-58) during that stretch. ... Despite the loss, the Dodgers are 24-12 in their last 36 road games. ... Benes is 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA for his career against the Dodgers. ... Edmonds has six homers in his last 13 games.