LOS ANGELES — Some of the post-game press conference highlights from Dodger Stadium following tonight’s 5-3 St. Louis Cardinals loss in Game 1 of the National League Division series:

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa

(on overall impressions of the lost) “I just think that we got beat. I mean, they were sharper in just about every area. I thought we went about it the right way. I loved the play Albert (Pujols) made at the end, the really there, the guys on base. Couldn’t get the big hit. Just had a big miss in the first for just one run. But they were sharper than we were in every area.”

(on not pinch-hitting for Carpenter in the fifth inning) “Carpenter has a well-deserved reputation for fighting through days when he’s not quite as good and never lets us down. I thought we had enouhg game to give up that out.”

(on potential adjustments for Game 2) “That would would really foolish to talk about that, wouldn’t it?Tell them what adjustments we’re going to make. That would not be — the game is hard enough without telling them what you’re trying to do. But you pay attention to what worked and what didn’t work, and I’m sure they’ll do the same thing. They have less adjustments to make than we do. But we’ll look at everything.”

(on Carpenter’s pitching) “He wasn’t quite as sharp as he usually is. He never quit competing. Didn’t let them blow us out. I think it’s a credit to their hitters, and you tip your cap to them.”

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Dodgers manager Joe Torre

(on being aggressive early in counts vs. Carpenter) “The thing is, even though you try to be patient, when he throws a strike you certainly don’t — you don’t want to just get behind in the count. So I thought our guys did a great job. And having a plan up there and not necessarily making Carp work, but staying with what we need to do against any pitcher, really, make him throw the ball over the plate.”

(on removing Wolf in the fourth inning) “Don Zimmer tuaght me that this postseason stuff is all about not being patient and doing what you feel you need to do at the time you need to do it.”

(on all of the LOBs, loads and loads of LOBs) “To me I felt we applied a lot of pressure, but when you have the best teams in baseball out there, their pitchers know how to get out of jams and I’m happy to say that ours did, too. … All it tells me is we’re getting opportunities. And you certainly want to cash in on more, but you have to understand who you’re playing, too.”

(on intentionally walking Pujols) “Albert is very special. I mean, you see him every single day. He just scares the hell out of me. I’ll give you an example: In the eighth inning I bring in (closer Jonathan) Broxton even though he wasn’t the tying run. I just felt at that point that’s who I wanted to pitch to him. He’s lethal and he’s so calm about it, too.”

(on the quick turnaround for Game 2) “Just from my past experience, when you win a game you’re not near as tire. But, again, this time of year, tired doesn’t enter into the equation for either club. The Cardinal club is a very good club. We’ve played them seven times this year. They just don’t stop coming at you, right to the end. They got the tying run at the plate and Broxton made the pitch.”

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Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp

(on his first postseason homer) “Feels great. First inning, got a little momentum in the first inning, and off a good pitcher. Got up and gave Wolf a little confidence to go back out there after a rough inning.”

(on being “intimidated” by Carpenter) “No, I play baseball, too. He throws the ball. He’s a great pitcher. We’ve had a — we haven’t done too well off of him, but tonight we came out with the confidence and everybody as a team had good at-bats and we got the job done.”

(on being aggressive early in the game) “We wanted to come out and make a statement. I think everybody was saying we’re like the underdogs but it’s just two good teams going at it. We played them as a series (and) they got us beat. But we had some pretty tough games that we played them during the season. We have confidence. We have a great team and everything all around as a team we’re good and hopefully we made a statement tonight and it’s going to be hard to come in here and just try to push us around because we’re ready to go.”

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More comments coming in other coverage at StlToday.com and the new 10@10 spinoff “About Last Night” over in Bird Land. Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was not available for comment after the game.

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