Dodgers fall to Cardinals, 3-0

KEY MOMENT: With the Dodgers trailing, 2-0, Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner started the seventh inning with consecutive singles, only for Andre Ethier, Alex Guerrero and A.J. Ellis to go down in order. Ethier’s strikeout led to the ejection of Manager Don Mattingly, who was evidently displeased with umpire Mike Winters’ strike zone.

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers were shut out for the fourth consecutive time on the road. On this night, they were held to five hits over seven innings by John Lackey, who struck out nine. The Dodgers finished the game with six hits, only one of which was for extra bases. The extra-base hit was from slumping Jimmy Rollins, who was two for four with a double.

ON THE MOUND: Mike Bolsinger wasn’t great but wasn’t bad, either, as he gave up two runs and seven hits over six innings. Bolsinger was pleased with how he limited the Cardinals to one run in the first inning after they loaded the bases with no outs. “Really kept us in the game from there,” Mattingly said.

MEDICAL REPORT: Catcher Yasmani Grandal is expected to be activated Saturday from the seven-day concussion disabled list. Grandal played in three games with triple-A Oklahoma City this week and was three for 10 with five walks. … Joel Peralta said he plans to throw off a mound in the coming days, perhaps early next week when the Dodgers are in Colorado. The development is a significant relief to the 39-year-old right-hander, who has been on the disabled list for more than a month. “The doctor, at one point, was talking about surgery,” Peralta said. Peralta said the source of his shoulder problems is a nerve that runs from his neck to his right triceps. The nerve was pinched and Dr. Robert Watkins Jr. talked to him about treating the problem by removing a disk from his back. But Peralta’s condition gradually improved. About a week ago, he started playing catch.

UP NEXT: Carlos Frias (3-2, 5.34 ERA) will face the Cardinals and Michael Wacha (7-0, 1.87) at Busch Stadium on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. PDT. TV: Ch. 11. Radio: 570, 1020.