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Kershaw makes long-awaited Dodger debut

May 25, 2008 - 3:45 PM St Louis (30-21) at LA Dodgers (25-23) 4:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- After a dominant spring, Clayton Kershaw makes his major league debut Sunday, when the Los Angeles Dodgers attempt to avoid a three-game sweep to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Los Angeles' first-round pick in 2006, the 20-year-old Kershaw surrendered a homer to the first batter he faced during spring training, then did not allow another run over his final 14 innings, striking out 19 while walking three. He finished Grapefruit League action with a 0.64 ERA while allowing only eight hits.

Despite an 0-3 record, the lefthander continued to pitch well at Class AA Jacksonville, posting a 2.28 ERA while yielding 32 hits and 15 walks with 47 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings.

The Dodgers have scored just one run in the first two games of the series and are 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position against the Cardinals.

Todd Wellemeyer (5-1, 3.25 ERA) will look to take advantage of Los Angeles' struggling offense as he seeks to win his third straight start.

The righthander, who is making his first start against the Dodgers, allowed two runs and six hits over six frames in an 8-2 win over San Diego on Monday.