IT'S A PINCH FOR L.A.'S BETEMIT HOME RUN HELPS LIFT THE DODGERS DODGERS 5, ST. LOUIS 4.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

Staff Writer

Wilson Betemit can't crack the Dodgers' starting lineup, but he is hitting, something many of the regulars aren't doing enough of these days.

Betemit hit a three-run, pinch-hit home run off St. Louis starter Kip Wells to give the Dodgers a two-run lead in the fifth inning Wednesday, and L.A. held on for a 5-4 victory over the Cardinals in front of 38,252 at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers' offense could not get untracked, which was even more perplexing because Wells, who owned a 6.51 ERA and 1-7 record, was on the mound.

The Dodgers had plenty of chances, too and left nine men on base. They had seven hits, including the go-ahead homer from Betemit, which was enough on this day.

"It seems like he's the Betemit we had last year," catcher Russell Martin said.

Hot-hitting Rafael Furcal doubled in his first at-bat to extend his hot streak to hits in 15 of 17 at-bats, but his run of four-hit games ended at three. Furcal was 1 for 4 with a walk and run.

Takashi Saito converted his 13th save in as many opportunities in 2007 and 23rd in a row dating to last season. He allowed a leadoff infield single by Juan Encarnacion, in the ninth.

Saito struck out Albert Pujols looking on a slider for a big out, then retired Scott Rolen and Scott Spiezio to end the game.

The Dodgers won the series after having lost 10 consecutive games to the Cardinals. They have a three-game lead over San Diego in the NL West.

They might have a problem, too, figuring out a way to get Betemit more at-bats. He could crack the starting lineup in the Freeway Series beginning Friday, since the Dodgers will need a designated hitter in interleague games in Anaheim. Before the game, Little said Olmedo Saenz probably would be the designated hitter.

When Furcal started the season on the disabled list, Betemit found a spot in the starting lineup at third base but now is flourishing off the bench. He already has three pinch-hit home runs this season -- all in the past two weeks -- and fourin his career. He is 4 for 5 with three homers, a double and six RBIs as a pinch hitter this year.

Andy LaRoche is getting most of the time at third base and was glad Betemit picked him up in the fifth after he failed to score Martin from third on a fielder's choice. Martin was caught in a rundown and tagged out, but Betemit's homer made it of little consequence.

Dodgers manager Grady Little pinch hit Betemit for starter Randy Wolf, who had thrown 89 pitches in five innings. Wolf allowed six hits on three runs, two of which were earned, and struck out seven.

"When you go out and pitch, you go out until the manager takes you out," Wolf said. "As a competitor, your instinct is that you want to stay out there. It's a game where the most important thing is winning, and you put personal things aside. Wilson came up. He's been great off the bench, and he came up with the hit of the night."

Betemit, who left before reporters entered the clubhouse after the game, hit a 1-0 pitch to right field off Wells to give the Dodgers a 5-3 lead in the fifth.

Spiezio, a former Angel, delivered a pinch-hit single to center field off Dodgers reliever Joe Beimel with two outs in the seventh to score Scott Rolen, but that was as close as the Cardinals would get.

The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the third, scoring all the runs with two outs.

Aaron Miles hit a run-scoring single to right field to score Yadier Molina. Encarnacion ran out an infield single and Wolf hit Pujols to load the bases.

With Rolen at the plate, Wolf threw a wild-pitch to score Miles. Martin's throw at the plate was wild, allowing Encarnacion scored on the error. Wolf walked Rolen, then struck out Ryan Ludwick to end the damage with Pujols stranded on third.

But Wolf settled down and didn't allow another run.

The Dodgers starter allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out seven and walked one. The third inning aside, he worked his way out of trouble. He struck out Rolen and Ludwick on 88-mph fastballs to end the fifth inning, ending his outing.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Aside from struggling in the third inning, the Dodgers' Randy Wolf was solid in his outing Wednesday against St. Louis.

(2) The Dodgers' Wilson Betemit claps his hands as he rounds first base after hitting a three-run, pinch-hit homer.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer