Dodgers 5 - 1 Cardinals
Final
  for this game

Dodgers, Ryu seek another win versus Cardinals

Aug 8, 2013 - 1:43 PM (Sports Network) - Hyun-Jin Ryu targets a fifth straight winning decision on Thursday when the Los Angeles Dodgers go after another series win in the finale of a four-game set with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Ryu won his third straight start on Friday in Chicago, as he held the Cubs to a pair of runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings to improve to 10-3 to go along with a 3.15 ERA.

The Korean left-hander, who is the first Dodgers rookie to win 10 games since Kazuhisa Ishii in 2002, is 4-0 in his last seven starts with a 3.56 ERA during that span. More importantly, though, the Dodgers are 7-0 in those outings.

"He dials it up when he needs to," catcher A.J. Ellis said of Ryu. "Sometimes the entire game. ... Other times, he saves it for certain situations. He's a big-game pitcher and he knows how to win."

One night after Los Angeles' franchise-record 15-game road winning streak came to an end, the Dodgers started another streak, as Andre Ethier and Skip Schumaker each collected three hits and four RBI in a 13-4 rout.

Carl Crawford finished 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Jerry Hairston plated a pair of runs to help the Dodgers win for the 33rd time in 41 chances.

Ricky Nolasco (8-9) earned the victory after giving up three unearned runs on seven hits over five frames.

Matt Carpenter and Daniel Descalso registered an RBI and scored a run apiece for the Cardinals, who have lost three of their last five games.

Jake Westbrook, who was slated to start Thursday's series finale, was forced into action after starter Shelby Miller was injured after just two pitches when he took a Crawford liner off his right elbow.

"I honestly thought he broke his arm," said Schumaker. "I've never seen a ball hit that flush on an elbow right there. Your first reaction is you want to find out if he's okay."

Westbrook (7-7) was tagged for nine runs on 13 hits over 4 2/3 innings to absorb the loss.

So, with Westbrook thrust into action on Wednesday, the Cards will turn to right-handed rookie Carlos Martinez, who will make his first big league start. Martinez has pitched 10 times out of the bullpen for the Cards this season and has pitched to a 5.56 ERA, but has yet to record a decision.

The Dodgers lost two of three versus St. Louis from May 24-26 at Chavez Ravine.






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