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Dodgers look to end drought against Cardinals

May 14, 2007 - 2:41 PM St Louis (15-20) at LA Dodgers (23-15) 10:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers host the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series Monday.

Entering this series, the Dodgers will be hoping to reverse their fortunes against the Cardinals, who won all seven meetings between the teams last season. Los Angeles managed just eight runs in the seven games.

Nomar Garciaparra went 8-for-13 as the Dodgers swept a three-game series from Cincinnati over the weekend. Juan Pierre also has been hot for the Dodgers, recording four straight multi-hit games.

While the NL West-leading Dodgers' offense appear to be clicking, St. Louis has been shut out a major league-high six times this season, including Sunday's 3-0 defeat to San Diego. The Cardinals have scored a major league-worst 110 runs and have been shut out in four of their last 10 games.

While he has struggled for most of the season, Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols was stellar last season against Los Angeles, as he hit .444 (12-for-27) with three homers and eight RBI.

Looking to keep the St. Louis offense in check, Los Angeles will send Brett Tomko (1-3, 4.33) to the mound as he looks to build off his first win of the season. The righthander beat Florida on Wednesday, allowing three runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Tomko is 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA lifetime against St. Louis.

St. Louis counters with Brad Thompson (1-0, 4.03 ERA), who makes his second start of the season. The 25-year-old righthander, who started the year in the bullpen, had an effective first start Tuesday against Colorado, allowing one run in five innings of a 4-1 win, although he did not factor in the decision.

Thompson has made two career relief appearances against the Dodgers, allowing one hit in three scoreless innings.