Cardinals pitching didn’t fare well against the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, losing 8-5.  Adam Wainwright made his spring debut and hoped for better results.  Reliever Jason Motte had some bad luck.

Wainwright pitched the first two innings and gave up three runs, two of those earned on five hits and a walk.   Manager Tony LaRussa was happy with Wainwright’s breaking pitches; he thought he just left a couple of pitches up.  Wainwright was a little tougher on himself, but admitted he was rusty.

Reliever Jason Motte battling for that closer’s role gave up two unearned runs on shortstop Tyler Greene’s second error of the game.  In all, the Cardinals gave up three unearned runs.

Former Cardinal Adam Kennedy fighting for a reserve spot with Tampa Bay went 2 for 3 with two singles, a RBI and run scored.  Rick Ankiel had two hits, his spring average is .500.

Cardinals play the Mets on Tuesday; have a day off Wednesday, then play the Dominican Republic team on Thursday.  They are practicing at the Cardinals site in Florida.  Albert Pujols will not play in that game against D.R. out of respect for his fellow countrymen.

Listen to LaRussa and Wainwright talk about his first two innings of the spring.

Download/listen to Adam Wainwright (1:19 mp3)