Williams Perez, already having sent back to the minor league complex, worked two scoreless innings of relief and John Brebbia stranded the bases loaded in the seventh after Andrew Miller had hit two batters, walked one and allowed two stolen bases. Brebbia then pitched a perfect eighth, fanning one and spearing a line drive.
Third baseman Matt Carpenter, who has lower back tightness, will not play before Sunday, manager Mike Shildt said Thursday morning but he said he was sure Carpenter would be available for the start of the season next Thursday in Milwaukee. Carpenter will remain behindwhen the team goes to Memphis after Sunday's game and take multiple at-bats in minor-league games on Monday and Tuesday, as will infielder Jedd Gyorko, who has been out three weeks with a strained right calf.