The St. Louis Cardinals (6-6) could not undo the impressive Spring Training streak from the Detroit Tigers (11-1), falling 10-3 as the Tigers improved their Spring Training-best 11-1 record.
Lefty Jaime Garcia (L, 0-1) lasted only 4 and 1/3 innings as he allowed 4 ER, 3 BB and 5 H while striking out 2 batters. LOOGY reliever R.J. Swindle came in to finish the fifth inning and pitched 2/3 of a frame, allowing another 4 H, 1 HR and 3 ER. The team's closer, RP Jason Motte, came to pitch the 6th inning, with the Cardinals losing 7-3 at that point, and promptly walked two batters, allowed another hit and let the Tigers push their lead to 9-3.
The Cardinals did get a good performance out of LF Matt Holliday, however, who cracked his second homer of the preseason in a 1 for 3 effort. Lance Berkman, who was filling the DH role in the AL park, went 1 for 2 with a walk and 2B Tyler Greene had the team's only multi-hit afternoon, going 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Sunday afternoon (15:05 p.m. CDT) against the Miami Marlins.
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