Jon Jay's hit in 9th wins for Cards

Righthander Jake Westbrook continued his spotless spring pitching record today, knocking off six shutout innings as the Cardinals beat the New York Mets, 2-1, in an exhibition game.

Westbrook gave up only three singles, walking none, to a lineup which was minus a few regulars. But for the spring he has worked 12 scoreless innings, permitting just six hits and no runs.

In becoming the first Cardinals starter to work six innings this spring, Westbrook threw 53 strikes out of 74 pitches. His strong effort was followed by perfect relief in the seventh and eighth, respectively, by Mitchell Boggs and Kyle McClellan. 

But, facing Fernando Salas in he ninth, Mets second baseman Jordany Valdespin lofted an opposite-field homer to left to tie the game at 1-1.
Jon Jay then won the game for the Cardinals in the home half with a one-out single to left off Mets lefthander Garrett Olson, who had brought in to face the lefthanded-batting Jay.

Jay's hit scored pinch runner Adron Chambers, who ran for Matt Adams after the latter singled with one out off former Cardinal Miguel Batista. Chambers then went to third on a hit-and-run single by right by Tony Cruz.

The Cardinals did little with New York starter Johan Santana either. They had only three hits and no runs through five innings but finally broke through in the sixth.

Tyler Greene and Carlos Beltran opened with singles and after Santana retired Matt Holliday and David Freese, Lance Berkman singled up the middle for the first run of the game.

The Cardinals, winning their fourth straight, are 10-6-1 for the spring. Lefthander Jaime Garcia will face Washington here on Thursday.


(stltoday.com)