LA hands Cardinals 7-3 Sunday setback

LOS ANGELES -- Kevin Brown wasn't as sharp as his first start off the disabled list. Still, he was good enough to win.

Making his second start since returning from the DL, Brown allowed three runs in five innings Sunday night and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 7-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Although Brown couldn't duplicate the dominance of his last outing, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy was impressed with his grit.

"Kevin Brown battled and gave it all he had for the 94 pitches he had," Tracy said. "I know he wasn't satisfied with his performance tonight. I think he struggled a little with his mechanics."

Brown was limited to 68 pitches in his first game after returning from the disabled list last Tuesday against Colorado. In that game, he went five scoreless innings for the victory.

This time, Brown (9-4) struggled with his control early but got plenty of support. He walked four in the first three innings and gave up six hits.

Tracy said the Dodgers would continue to monitor Brown's progress and said he would likely keep Brown's pitch count to 100 in his next start.

First baseman Eric Karros continued to show signs of breaking out of a season-long slump with three hits, including a two-run single in the Dodgers' four-run third inning.

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek hit his career-high 11th home run, a two-run shot in the fourth.

Karros finished the six-game homestand batting .444 (8-for-18) with two homers. He came in with a 1-for-16 slump.

Tracy, who had been waiting for Karros to break out of his slump, said his patience was rewarded.

"I don't quit on players," Tracy said. "I see when they need to get away, then we come back and revisit what the guy's done."

Cardinals starter Darryl Kile (13-10) went 5 1-3 innings, allowing six runs and eight hits.