The outfielders shined brightly for the Cardinals on opening day. Jim Edmonds, Reggie Sanders and Larry Walker all hit home runs Tuesday, to lift St. Louis over Houston 7-3 at Minute Maid Park. Edmonds’ three-run blast got the Birds on the board in the first inning. In the sixth inning he drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and finished with four RBI’s. Reggie Sanders hit a two-run shot in the sixth and Larry Walker went deep with the bases empty in the seventh.
Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols failed to drive in runs, but both were 2-for-5 on the day, with Rolen scoring twice and Pujols once. Shortstop David Eckstein and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek had a hit apiece in their Cardinal debut.
On the mound Chris Carpenter held Houston in check over seven innings of work. He allowed one run off four hits and no walks to get the win.
The Cardinals and Astros have Wednesday day off and will conclude the two game series this afternoon…Jason Marquis will meet Andy Pettite.
