After the Astros staff took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, the back end of the Astros bullpen surrendered eight runs in innings six through eight. A ninth inning rally by the Stros fell short, giving the Cards the 8-5 win.
Starter Kent Emmanuel opened with two perfect innings. In the third inning ostensible opening day closer Ryan Pressly saw his first Spring action, striking out the side.
Last year’s surprise set-up man, lefty Brooks Raley, faced four right-handers in the fifth, allowing only a walk. In the sixth, the Cardinals scored their first run, unearned, after two throwing errors by Grae Kessinger, playing out of position at second base.