ST. LOUIS _ The Dodgers jumped on Cardinals starter Austin Gomber for three runs in the first inning and continued to batter the rookie on the way to a 9-7 win at Busch Stadium in the first game of a four-game series between playoff contenders.
Gomber (5-1) allowed seven runs in three innings and was relieved after allowing three consecutive singles to start the fourth.
David Freese ignited the offense for the Dodgers with a two-run triple in the first to cap a 14-pitch at-bat that saw him foul off nine pitches before driving the ball into the left-field corner.
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw was not at his best but picked up the win. He allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings and faded toward the end of his outing after picking up seven strikeouts in the first three innings.
The Cardinals mounted a rally in the ninth inning, loading the bases against closer Kenley Jansen. Jedd Gyorko then grounded into a force play at second but a throwing error allowed a second run to score. Matt Adams grounded out to end the game.
The Cardinals had a chance to get to Kershaw (8-5) early but didn't capitalize. He escaped the first inning allowing one run after Matt Carpenter singled and Yairo Munoz doubled. He went unscathed in the second despite issuing a walk and allowing a single.
The Dodgers were leading 8-1 when they mounted a rally that started with a home run by relief pitcher Tyson Ross. Two singles and an error loaded the bases before Marcell Ozuna singled to score Carpenter and a sacrifice fly by Paul DeJong plated Munoz.
Manny Machado had three hits for the Dodgers. He singled in the first, doubled to score Justin Turner in the third and homered in the seventh. He also had a sacrifice fly in the fourth.
The Cardinals went over the three million mark in attendance for the 15th consecutive season.
