--1B Albert Pujols scored from third on C Yadier Molina's one-hopper to Houston P Mike Hampton in the third inning Friday. Hampton, in throwing to first, did not check Pujols creeping down the line.
"He's an outstanding baserunner," La Russa said. "Sometimes, he runs like he's invisible out there, but most of the time when he runs, he uses great judgment and he's got terrific aggressiveness and instincts. That was a big-league play. All-Star play. Hall of Fame play." --With the Cardinals often starting at least two left-handed batting outfielders and a left-handed hitting second baseman, opposing teams will fire left-handers at them. Their win against Astros LHP Mike Hampton on Friday was their first out of three in games started by left-handers.
--RHP Chris Carpenter beat the Pirates for the ninth straight time Thursday. He is 10-1 with a 2.06 ERA against them, walking 84 and striking out 18, with hitters averaging only .187 against him.
--Albert Pujols set a record for Cardinals first basemen Wednesday with seven assists, the most by a National League first baseman in a nine-inning game in 38 years.
--The Cardinals' win on Tuesday ended a four-game losing streak against the Pirates. Last year, St. Louis beat Pittsburgh only seven times in 17 meetings.
--The Cardinals and Pirates met in a season opener for the 32nd time, 27 of them in St. Louis, but Monday marked was the first time the teams had opened the season together since 1983.
BY THE NUMBERS: 12 -- Players on the 2009 opening-day roster who were on the opening-night roster in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Maybe he's trying to do too much or something. I don't know. Whatever it is, he'd better try to get it changed." -- Pitching coach Dave Duncan on the struggles of RHP Kyle McClellan.
