Mark Mulder’s return to the St. Louis Cardinals lineup was anything but storybook as the Redbirds’ southpaw was chased after giving up 6 earned runs on 8 hits in 4 innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates dumped the Cards 8-2 Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.
Mulder (0-1), who has been recovering from shoulder surgery, was making his 2007 debut and pitching his first innings since August of last year. Tony Armas (3-5) pitched 6 innings for the win, allowing only 2 earned runs.
Several Bucs had big nights at the plate, including Ronny Paulino and Adam LaRoche, who each homered. Paulino and Jack Wilson each had 3 runs batted in. Rick Ankiel hit his 7 th home run for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals (68-68) and Pirates (61-78) wrap up their four game series this afternoon at Busch Stadium. Mike Maroth (5-6) goes to the mound for the St. Louis against Pittsburgh’s Bryan Billington (0-0).
