MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Albert Pujols drove in six runs and Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds 13-1 on Friday night at AutoZone Park.
Pujols, who was 3-for-5, launched a two-run homer onto the left-field bluff in the third inning - his second homer of the spring - and hit a three-run double into the left-field corner in the fourth.He added a run-scoring single in the fifth in the first of two exhibition games between the clubs this weekend.
Chris Carpenter, who was scheduled to start Friday's game before he suffered tightness in his left calf during his last outing on Sunday, threw a bullpen session instead.
"He had a good workout. He threw well," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He'll be ready to go Thursday."
P.J. Walters threw seven innings and allowed one run and four hits to pick up the win for the Cardinals. Brad Thompson and Dennys Reyes each threw a scoreless inning for St. Louis.
The Cardinals completed their 25-man opening day roster on Thursday when they assigned Joe Mather to Memphis.
Ludwick, who relaunched his career here two years ago, liked making the return trip.
"I enjoyed my time here and it's kind of nice to come back," said the 30-year-old Ludwick, who had 37 homers and 113 RBIs last year for St. Louis. "I opened some eyes when I was here. The goal was to come down here and do everything I could to become a better player. That's what I did and the rest is history."
Catcher Matt Pagnozzi, the nephew of former St. Louis catcher Tom Pagnozzi, drove in the Redbirds' run with a single.
Notes: Walters, who led Memphis in strikeouts (122) and walks (62) last season in 23 starts, is 2-0 this spring in five games for St. Louis, allowing just five runs in 16 innings. He will start the year in Triple-A. ... The Cardinals' 20 spring training victories are their most since 1997, when they went 21-11.
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