Albert Pujols went 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run as the St. Louis Cardinals edged the AA Springfield Cardinals 3-2 before 9,567 fans who jammed into Hammons Field in Springfield for the first of two exhibition games between the "big" Cards and the "baby" Cards.

Yadier Molina and Chris Duncan each had a pair of hits for St. Louis. Springfield infielder Jose Martinez impressed the hometown crowd, with 3 hits in 3 trips to the plate. Shortstop Tyler Greene went 2 for 4 with a homer.

St. Louis starter Todd Wellemeyer gave up only 1 earned run on 6 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.

The two teams play one more exhibition contest at Hammons Field on Saturday afternoon before St. Louis heads home to open the season against the Colorado Rockies on Monday at Busch Stadium.