ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Mike Mayers had one of the worst major league debuts ever, and did it on national TV.Mayers became the first pitcher to allow nine or more runs with less than two innings pitched in his first start since at least 1913, and St. Louis lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 on Sunday night.Mayers allowed nine runs on eight hits, including two homers, over 1 1/3 innings in the primetime game. He threw 62 pitches, including 45 during a six-run first. His ERA is 60.75.After a rainout earlier in the week forced a doubleheader, the Cardinals decided not to start Carlos Martinez on short rest and called up Mayers, 24, from Triple-A Memphis for a spot start. St. Louis was the last team in the majors to use a pitcher not in their starting five this season.The outing was derailed by Adrian Gonzalezs first-inning grand slam and Howie Kendricks two-run homer in the second. Mayers had about 35 family members and friends on hand.Its the same game -- 60 feet, 6 inches, Mayers said. I felt like I told myself that over and over but as far as when you get out there its a totally different ballgame. I felt like I kind of started to let my emotions get to me. The game kind of sped up after those first two hits. I felt like I had to be better and thats the situation I have to get a lot better with.Mayers loaded the bases on two singles and a walk in the first. Gonzalez crushed a fastball 427 feet to center for his fifth career grand slam. After a double by Kendrick, Mayers struck out Yasmani Grandal and got a nice ovation from the crowd. With two outs, Joc Pederson walked and stole second. Pitcher Scott Kazmir singled up the middle for the final two runs and his first RBI of the year.Los Angeles chased Mayers in the second with three more runs.St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said Mayers should not be too discouraged.Hes had a great season and that was a tough assignment he just walked into, Matheny said. It could have looked a little different but hopefully he looks at it as a learning experience and he builds off it.The Dodgers had little sympathy for Mayers.Just pile on, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. This league, no one feels sorry for us. Its a big boy league. I hope he throws well his next turn.Kazmir (9-3) pitched five innings to earn the victory. He allowed three runs on six hits.I felt for him, yeah, Kazmir said of Mayers. Its your debut, its hot and its on ESPN. It was a tough draw for him.Matt Holliday doubled home a run in the first. It was the first run scored in the first inning by St. Louis since July 3.Tommy Pham cut the Dodgers advantage to 9-3 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.Four St. Louis relievers combined for 7 2/3 scoreless innings.We were in survival mode at that point just trying to figure out if we were going to get through it, Matheny said. Fortunately we figured out how to get through it and now we just keep moving forward.HOT HOT HOTThe temperature at the start of the game was 96 degrees.TRANSACTIONSCardinals: To make room on the 25-man roster for Mayers, St. Louis optioned RHP Miguel Socolovich to Memphis following Saturdays game. Socolovich made two relief appearances while in St. Louis.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: INF Matt Carpenter is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment this week. Carpenter, sidelined since July 6 with a strained right oblique, took swings in the outdoor batting cage and ran the bases Sunday.UP NEXTCardinals: Martinez (9-6, 2.83) faces the New York Mets Noah Syndergaard (9-4, 2.43). Martinez logged seven innings in a 4-2 win over San Diego in his last start despite suffering a bloody nose. Air Jordans Authentic Wholesale . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Shop Air Jordans Shoes Free Shipping .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. http://www.wholesaleauthenticairjordan.com/ . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Wholesale Jordans China . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. Wholesale Jordans For Sale . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. CLEVELAND -- Once again, the Cavaliers are facing a major summer "decision." The last one was hard to accept. This one is difficult to make. And while it doesnt quite stack up with LeBron James infamous announcement that he was bolting from home three years ago and leaving Cleveland heartbroken and short of a title, the Cavs are faced with the challenge of picking another top-flight player to get them back to respectability. For the second time in three years and third time over the past decade, the Cavaliers hold the No. 1 overall draft pick. This year, its both a blessing and burden. With no player emerging as the consensus first choice, the Cavs, who also own the No. 19 pick and two second-round selections (Nos. 31 and 33) have spent the past month doing their due diligence by meeting with players, assessing their needs and weighing their many options. Theyve discussed several trades to rid themselves of the top pick, move down and acquire veterans for one of the leagues youngest teams. The Cavs have kept things close to the vest during the weeks leading into the draft. General manager Chris Grant has not spoken publicly to the media since firing coach Byron Scott after last season, and the Cavs did not open their pre-draft workouts to reporters. As of Tuesday night, Grant and his staff were still working on their draft board and its possible they could go into Thursday with their plan still evolving. Last weekend, owner Dan Gilbert, who made it clear after winning the lottery that he expects his team back in the playoffs next year, even went on Twitter to solicit some feedback. "Ok (at)cavs fans, its Chris Grants call but who do you like .1 & why?" Gilbert posted. "One of the toughest calls in NBA draft history. Lets hear your view." It was so much easier two years ago, when the Cavs took point guard Kyrie Irving, who despite some injury issues -- hes missed 38 games in two seasons -- has developed into an All-Star and is one of the leagues rising stars. That same year, Cleveland used the No. 4 pick on forward Tristan Thompson and then selected shooting guard Dion Waiters fourth overall last year. Both Thompson and Waiters proved to be solid picks, and along with Irving, form the foundation for the Cavs to build upon. Picking the next piece isnt such a given. The Cavs dont view any of the top candidates as immediate game-changers. In fact, they arent certain their top pick will crack the starting lineup as a rookie. Kentucky centre Nerlens Noel, Maryland centre Alex Len, Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore, Georgetown forward Otto Porter Jr., UNLV power forward Anthony Bennett and Indiana guard Victor Oladipo are all in tthe mix and under consideration by the Cavs, who went 24-58 last season, finished 25 1-2 games out of first place and havent sniffed the post-season since James left.dddddddddddd All six of the top players have their plusses and minuses, and barring a trade, the Cavs will eventually have to settle on one of them. "The Cavs have to take the attitude of, Lets find out what these guys do well instead of obsessing over what they cant do," ESPN draft expert Chad Ford said. "Because if you do that, you disqualify every player in the draft, especially this year." Under normal circumstances, the 6-foot-11 Noel would be a slam-dunk selection. However, the Kentucky defensive standout is still recovering from a torn knee ligament sustained during his freshman season and probably wont be available to play until January. Noel visited the Cavs last week, and while the club is intrigued by his shot-blocking skills, theres concern the 206-pounder will get pushed around underneath by bigger, stronger, more seasoned centres. Also, Noel has an extremely limited offensive game and putting him on the floor at the same time with Anderson Varejao and Thompson doesnt make sense. Len, too, has injury issues. Hes recovering from surgery for a stress fracture in his left ankle, which wasnt diagnosed until after the 7-foot-1 centre left Maryland after his sophomore season. Lens statistics -- 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds -- certainly dont scream No. 1 pick, but theres reason to believe hes only scratched the surface of his potential. The Ukranian has been compared to former Cavs centre Zydrunas Ilguaskas, who overcame serious foot problems to have a solid career and now works in Clevelands front office. McLemores stock took a hit recent amid reports Kansas officials are reviewing allegations that his former AAU coach received $10,000 to steer him to agent Rodney Blackstock. While that may raise questions about McLemores character, the Cavs like that he made 42 per cent of his 3-pointers and could see him in lineups alongside Irving and Waiters. There hasnt been a true shooting guard taken first since 1975, when Atlanta selected David Thompson, who decided to play in the ABA before coming over to the NBA when the leagues merged. McLemore, whose game has been compared to Ray Allens, knows he has a chance to do something special. "I can make history," the 20-year-old said at the scouting combine. "I could see myself as a superstar at the next level. The hard work pays off. Years before this I probably wouldnt think Id be in this position to take care of my family and take care of myself. Its a dream come true." Its up to the Cavs to make it happen. ' ' '