Richard Homers in Debut; Cards Win

Chris Richard homered in his first big league at-bat, and Jim Edmonds broke out of a slump, leading the Cardinals past Minnesota, 8-3. Richard was called up from the minors to replace J.D. Drew, who has gone on the disabled list with an ankle sprain. Richard hit the first pitch he saw in the big leagues out of the park to give the Cards a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Only four Cardinals have ever homered in their first big league at-bat. Last month, Cardinal cather Keith McDonald did so in his first two trips to the plate. Edmonds had been 0 for 10, but busted out with three hits, including a mammoth three-run homer into the upper deck in the 8th inning. That blast gave the Cards a comfortable 7-2 lead. Pat Hentgen had another good outing. He pitched 6 innings, allowing just two runs, to improve to 9-6. In the rubber game of the series tonight, Andy Benes, who is 10-3, will start against Twins’ ace Brad Radke. Radke is 6-10.