Cards muster just four hits in loss to Dodgers

JUPITER, Fla. -- Five Dodgers pitchers combined on a four-hitter Tuesday as Los Angeles beat St. Louis 3-1 at Roger Dean Stadium.

Brett Tomko (1-0) allowed one run on three hits over three innings for the win. Four Dodgers relievers pitched six scoreless innings, including a stretch of 15 consecutive outs that ended after two outs in the ninth.

"They've been doing a good job," Dodgers manager Grady Little said of his pitchers. "Normally at this time of the year, the pitchers are ahead of the hitters and that's a common occurrence this early in spring training. We'll see how it progresses as the spring goes along."

St. Louis scored first as David Eckstein led off with a double, was moved to third on a ground out by Scott Rolen and scored on John Gall's sacrifice fly.

The Dodgers came back with three runs in the second inning off Cardinals starter Jeff Suppan (0-2). Andy LaRoche singled home James Loney, followed by a two-RBI single from Jason Repko.

Suppan threw three innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts -- a vast improvement from his first start in which he allowed nine runs in 1.1 innings.

"My stamina was good, I thought," Suppan said. "Obviously my pitch location wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. I'm still predominantly focusing on the fastball. It didn't go everywhere I wanted it to go, but better than last time."

Hector Luna recorded the save for Los Angeles.

Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier had to leave the game after injuring his shoulder while diving to catch Gal'ls sacrifice fly in the first inning.

"That's just one of those freak things, Little said. "He fell on his shoulder and jammed it a little. Hopefully it will not be very serious."