The Cardinals were got rolling early in a 15-5 win over the Padres at Busch Stadium. St. Louis scored 11 runs in the first inning, one shy of the team record for single-inning scoring. In 1926, the Cardinals scored 12 times against the Phillies. The last time the Cardinals scored 11 times in an inning was against the Cubs in 2002 and the last time they scored 11 in the first inning was also against the Cubs in 1998.
San Diego starter Tim Redding allowed eight runs in just 2/3 of an inning to get the loss. The Cardinals sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning and managed seven hits. They were also walked four times—twice with the bases loaded—and Larry Walker was hit by a pitch. Walker finished the game with a single, double and a home run, driving in three runs. Scott Rolen drove in four runs in the first inning with a fielders choice and a bases-loaded double.
There were seven home runs on the day—four of them were hit by the Padres. Luckily for Cardinals’ starting pitcher Jason Marquis, he didn’t have to be as sharp as usual. He allowed three of those home runs for four earned runs over six innings, but improved to 5-1.
Reliever Brad Thompson made his major league debut by pitching three innings and allowed one run off two hits.
Despite a big win, the game provided a scare for the Cardinals. In the seventh inning catcher Yadier Molina turned on the bag while running to first base. X-rays showed only a sprain and he’ll be day-to-day.
