Nomo sparks Dodgers to 6-3 win over Cards

LOS ANGELES -- Desperately in need of offense, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a couple moves during the All-Star break.

Newcomers Rickey Henderson and Jeromy Burnitz didn't do much in their debuts with the Dodgers, but they weren't needed thanks to the efforts of pitcher Hideo Nomo and light-hitting Adrian Beltre.

Nomo hit a two-run homer and an RBI double and pitched six strong innings, and Beltre also homered and drove in three runs Thursday night as the Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3.

The extra-base hits were the first this season by Nomo, as were the RBIs. Nomo, who entered with five singles in 41 at-bats, had never driven in multiple runs in a game.

Beltre raised his RBI total to 36 and his batting average to .229.

Nomo (10-8) limited the Cardinals to two hits and one unearned run while walking four and striking out five.

Eric Gagne got the final out to earn his 32nd save in 32 opportunities. It was his 40th straight save overall, not counting his blown save and loss in Tuesday's All-Star game.

The 44-year-old Henderson, baseball's career leader in runs scored, walks and stolen bases, went 1-for-4. He signed with the Dodgers after playing 56 games for Newark of the independent Atlantic League.