A NEW `LOWE' POINT RIGHT-HANDER GIVES UP FIVE RUNS IN FIVE INNINGS ST. LOUIS 9, DODGERS 4.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

If the Dodgers were trying to convince general manager Paul DePodesta that he should do something bold in the final hours before the trade deadline, they failed miserably.

DePodesta has until 1 p.m. today to make a move, but the Dodgers didn't do much Saturday to show him their playoff hopes are legitimate and in need of a boost. DePodesta is looking for a hitter, but pitching failed the Dodgers in a 9-4 loss to St. Louis in front of 47,805 at Dodger Stadium.

A first baseman and/or a corner outfielder remain the Dodgers' top targets, but it seems probable the team's playoff push will be aided only by health and maturation of their younger players.

``I don't have any comment on that,'' said Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, who in previous days had been rather outspoken about the benefits of a trade. ``It's really not my question to answer.''

Tracy was then left to ponder the loss. Derek Lowe, brilliant in his two previous outings, allowed five runs, including a pair of two-run home runs, in five innings and was bothered by a blister on his thumb.

The bullpen also faltered. After the Dodgers battled back to make the score 5-4, David Eckstein, the Cardinals' 165-pound All-Star shortstop, hit a three-run home run off Giovanni Carrara in the sixth inning.

Saturday's result notwithstanding, DePodesta believes pitching is a strength and doesn't need significant improvement. If the non-waiver trade deadline passes this afternoon without the Dodgers making a move, the answers to their problems will have to come from inside the organization.

The hope remains that Jose Valentin, due back in the next week, and J.D. Drew, recovering from a broken wrist, can give the Dodgers a boost offensively. They sure could have used one Saturday.

A couple of timely hits might have helped turn the tide against a St. Louis team widely regarded as the best in baseball. Trailing 5-1 in the fourth, the Dodgers got solo home runs from Jeff Kent and Jason Phillips, but Jason Repko grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The Dodgers had St. Louis starter Jeff Suppan (Crespi High of Encino) in trouble again in the fifth, as Hee-Seop Choi doubled and Oscar Robles singled to put runners on the corners with one out.

Milton Bradley grounded out to score one run, but Ricky Ledee grounded out with the tying run on second. Eckstein, with two home runs in 388 at-bats this season, then hit his three-run shot.

Suppan (10-7) allowed four earned runs and seven hits in five innings. With the loss, Lowe's record dropped to 7-11, making him the only Dodgers starter with more than six losses this season.

``The home run balls did us in today,'' Tracy said.

Lowe trailed 3-0 after the first inning when Albert Pujols doubled home Eckstein, then scored on Jim Edmonds' towering home run to center field.

``It wasn't a very good pitch, right down the middle,'' Lowe said. ``(The Cardinals) have some guys hurt, but they're still the best team in baseball, and when you don't execute, they take advantage.''

The right-hander also surrendered John Mabry's two-run home run in the fourth and left after five innings, having allowed eight hits. Lowe's blister problem, which flared up this month, also was a factor.

Tracy described Lowe's right thumb as ``pretty raw'' and said Lowe would be evaluated again today.

``It was about as bad as it's been all year,'' Lowe said. ``I had it covered up enough to where it wasn't going to rip, but sometimes that takes a little away from the feel.''

Four St. Louis relievers combined for four shutout innings and allowed only two baserunners. The Dodgers didn't get a runner past first base in the final four innings.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

MLB TRADE DEADLINE

What: Baseball Tonight Trade Deadline Special.

TV: ESPN, noon-1:30 p.m.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 5 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Dodgers' third baseman Oscar Robles can't get a handle on the ball during the fourth inning of Saturday's loss to St. Louis.

(2) Jeff Kent (12) scores the Dodgers' first run on Jason Repko's third-inning single. Kent also hit his 19th home run of the season in the fourth inning.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS

- Rich Hammond

(2) MLB TRADE DEADLINE

(3) GAME RECAP

(4) HOW THE RUNS SCORED

(5) ALMANAC