Los Angeles ? Randy Wolf and the Dodgers bullpen outpitched St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter, earning Los Angeles a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday night in an NL playoff opener full of missed chances for both teams.

Pitching in the playoffs for the first time in his 11-year career, Wolf lasted 32/3 innings against Carpenter, who came in with a career 5-1 record and 2.53 earned-run average in the postseason. Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer off Carpenter in the first inning, giving the NL West champions the lead for good.

The teams set a division series record by stranding a combined 30 runners. The Dodgers left 16, including 12 in scoring position.

Offense was at a premium for both teams’ sluggers. The Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez went 1-for-4 with double and a walk, while Albert Pujols was 0-for-3 with two intentional walks for the NL Central champion Cardinals.

Wolf was the Dodgers’ most consistent starter this season, with a 2.98 ERA in the second half and just one loss since Aug. 1 for his hometown team. Against the Cardinals, the left-hander from the San Fernando Valley allowed two runs and six hits, walked five and struck out two.