KANSAS CITY -- Showcasing the more balanced offensive approach that has blossomed under the instruction of new hitting coaches, the Cardinals toppled the Royals, 7-0, to open their I-70 Interleague Series at Kauffman Stadium on Friday.
St. Louis scored five times in the second inning to chase starter Burch Smith, who allowed as many runs as he recorded outs in his second career appearance against the Cardinals. Paul DeJong opened the inning with a solo homer, and Matt Carpenter punctuated it with a two-run blast, his National League-leading 32nd home run this season.