CHICAGO - For seven innings Friday two young Cardinal pitchers made Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano look lost at the plate. 

The questions about Alfonso Soriano as a leadoff hitter may never die. 

The Cardinals blew two saves and suffered a bullpen loss in the first game of a seven-game, opening-week homestand, but the rest was much better, highlighted by a one-hitter worked by RHP Chris Carpenter and two relievers, a three-hit shutout by RHP Kyle  

The Cardinals blew two saves and suffered a bullpen loss in the first game of a seven-game, opening-week homestand, but the rest was much better, highlighted by a one-hitter worked by RHP Chris Carpenter and two relievers, a three-hit shutout by RHP Kyle  

One of last year's trouble spots for the Cardinals is resurfacing. 

--INF Brian Barden, dividing time between shortstop and third base, cracked his third homer this week, a solo drive off Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano, to break a 5-5 tie in the sixth. 

One of last year's trouble spots for the Cardinals is resurfacing. 

--INF Brian Barden, dividing time between shortstop and third base, cracked his third homer this week, a solo drive off Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano, to break a 5-5 tie in the sixth. 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Since signing with the Chicago Cubs, Alfonso Soriano has had a tendency of getting off to slow starts. 

An MRI on Thursday confirmed that St. 

All Alfonso Soriano needed to see was a pitch to his liking, and that's a pretty broad category. 

After striking out three times earlier in the game, Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning Friday, rallying the Chicago Cubs to an 8-7 victory over the St. 

The Cardinals blew two saves and suffered a bullpen loss in the first game of a seven-game, opening-week homestand, but the rest was much better, highlighted by a one-hitter worked by RHP Chris Carpenter and two relievers, a three-hit shutout by RHP Kyle