Dodgers 5, Cardinals 3: Rookie Luis Cruz lined a three-run homer as visiting Los Angeles opened a four-game series with its fifth straight win.

Cruz’s second-inning shot off Joe Kelly (1-3), only his second major-league homer, helped the Dodgers to their eighth straight victory over the Cardinals. Mark Ellis added a two-run double in the seventh to stretch the lead to 5-1.

Chad Billingsley (5-9), who came off the disabled list earlier in the day, allowed one run and seven hits in six innings.

Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer and Lance Berkman had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Kelly allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings. He walked three and fanned one. St. Louis has scored three or fewer runs in six of Kelly's eight starts.

Billingsley fanned four and walked one in his 100-pitch outing. Kenley Jansen earned his 19th save in 24 chances with a perfect ninth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Berkman was 2-for-18 with no RBIs lifetime against Billingsley before his first-inning RBI hit. It was Berkman’s fifth start in nine games since he came off the DL following knee surgery. … Billingsley avoided losing a career-high sixth straight start. … Cruz’s homer ended St. Louis’ string of 26 shutout innings. … It was 101 degrees at first pitch.