Kazmir goes 8 2/3 innings, Dodgers beat Cardinals 5-3

LOS ANGELES -- Scott Kazmir pitched 8 2/3 innings, Adrian Gonzalez and Corey Seager homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Saturday night.

Gonzalez hit a solo home run, his fourth of the season, to lead off the fourth inning. Seager, who had three hits, ripped a solo home run in the seventh inning.

Kazmir (3-3) allowed three runs on five hits, struck out seven and walked one. He was nearly flawless until Jeremy Hazelbaker hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run to pull the Cardinals within two runs in the ninth. Closer Kenley Jansen recorded the final out for his 13th save.

The Dodgers scored three runs in the fifth after Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez (4-3) loaded the bases with no outs. Martinez left after that having allowed five runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out two.

The series has been plagued by errors by both teams, who combined for eight in the first two games. The Cardinals had four errors Friday and another one on their first defensive play of the game in this one, a mistake by Brandon Moss.

Seager had two errors at shortstop to run his total to three for the series.

Martinez pitched on seven days rest after leaving his previous start due to fatigue and illness. Aside from Gonzalez's home run, he worked his way out of trouble until the fifth, when he threw 40 pitches.

Kazmir allowed two home runs in his previous start and has allowed 10 this season.

Yasiel Puig made another dazzling defensive play for the Dodgers, a diving catch to rob Yadier Molina of a hit in the second inning. He had three hits a day earlier to shake some rust at the plate, but on Saturday, Puig was 0 for 3.

Trainer's room

Cardinals: RHP Seth Mannes was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (left shoulder surgery) will make his first rehab start at Class A Rancho Cucamonga today, where he is expected to throw two innings. Dave Roberts said he'll probably make four or five minor league starts to build up to 100 pitches. ... RHP Brandon McCarthy (Tommy John surgery) threw a simulated inning Saturday. He is expected to throw one more simulated game before going on a rehab assignment. ... RHP Yimi Garcia (right bicep soreness) is not doing any baseball activities and not improving, according to Roberts.

Up next

Cardinals: RHP Mike Leake (1-3, 5.10) earned his first win as a Cardinal in his previous start, allowing one run in eight innings against the Angels. Since 2010, Leake is 3-4 with a 4.03 ERA against the Dodgers.

Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (1-3, 4.58 ERA) will be making his first career start against the Cardinals. In his eight career home starts as a Dodger, he is 4-2 with a 2.00 ERA and opponents are batting .194.