St. Louis didn’t get their first hit until the seventh inning, when Shane Robinson doubled off Manny Delcarmen. Robinson scored when Jon Jay just beat out a double-play ball. Daryl Jones doubled home two runs off lefty reliever Dustin Richardson to give the Cardinals the lead in the eighth, but the Sox rallied with two in the ninth to win 7-6.
National League Cy Young Award runner-up Chris Carpenter made his spring debut, allowing one run on four hits over two innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out one. Jason Motte gave up a run in his second inning of work, coming in after Trever Miller.
Josh Beckett made his second start of the spring and tossed three perfect innings, striking out three. Closer Jonathan Papelbon followed with a hitless inning for the Red Sox.
Albert Pujols is out until at least Wednesday. He has some discomfort in his lower back. The three-time MVP felt something on Sunday afternoon, and yesterday the Cardinals kept him at home. He’ll be re-evaluated Wednesday.