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Dodger Use Big Start To Get Buy Cardinals

The Los Angeles Dodgers gave St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Mike Mayers one of the worst major league debuts ever.

 

Adrian Gonzalez hit a grand slam and Howie Kendrick added a two-run homer while the Dodgers exploded for nine runs in the first two innings off Mayers and held on for a 9-6 win over the Cardinals on a hot, muggy Sunday night.

Mayers lasted 1 1/3 innings and became the first pitcher to allow nine or more runs with fewer than two innings pitched in his debut since at least 1913.

 

Scott Kazmir (9-3) pitched five innings to earn the victory. He allowed three runs on six hits.

 

After a rainout earlier in the week forced a doubleheader, the Cardinals decided not to start Carlos Martinez on short rest and called up Mayers, 24, from Triple-A Memphis for a spot start. St. Louis was the last team in the majors to use a pitcher not in their starting five this season.

 

Mayers threw 62 pitches and gave up nine runs on eight hits, including two home runs, with about 35 family members and friends on hand. His ERA is 60.75.

 

Kenley Jansen got his 29th save in 34 opportunities with a spotless ninth.

 

Mayers loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Gonzalez crushed a fastball 427 feet to center for his fifth career grand slam and first since Aug. 26, 2010. After a double by Kendrick, Mayers struck out Yasmani Grandal and got a nice ovation from the crowd. With two outs, Joc Pederson walked and stole second. Kazmir singled up the middle for the final two runs and his first RBIs of the year.

 

Matt Holliday doubled home a run in the first. It was the first run scored in the first inning by St. Louis since July 3.

 

After Los Angeles chased Mayers in the second with three more runs, Tommy Pham cut the Dodgers' advantage to 9-3 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

 

Four St. Louis relievers combined for 7 2/3 scoreless innings.

 

Martinez (9-6, 2.83) faces the New York Mets' Noah Syndergaard (9-4, 2.43). Martinez logged seven innings in a 4-2 win over San Diego in his last start despite suffering a bloody nose.

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