Dodgers 2, Cardinals 1

Loney looks like a good fit for the three hole so far, even though he went hitless in his first three ABs. He barely missed a home run in the fourth inning before it hooked JUST foul. In the ninth, he hit a no-doubter about six rows back in right-center after Martin singled past a diving Scott Rolen. The shot came on Wainwright’s 108th pitch of the evening. Poor guy pitched a gem and got nothing but a loss to show for it, but the boys needed this one. Beimel got the win after walking Prince Albert intentionally with two outs in the eighth after falling behind 2-0, then promptly picking him off without throwing a pitch to Jim Edmonds. Penny pitched seven shutout innings, allowing five hits. In his past three starts — two L’s and a no-decision — the Dodgers have scored a total of three runs, only one of which came while he was still in the game. Saito had a shaky ninth, giving up a run and two hits, but managed to get out of it. Boys improve to 60-55.