Cardinals 9, Tigers 4
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - Chris Carpenter returned from a left hamstring injury and gave up three runs in four innings for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 9-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
Carpenter hadn't pitched since being injured March 1. He said his leg felt fine and that he could have gone further.
Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa said that Carpenter, who went 16-9 with a 3.22 ERA would be the Cardinals opening day starter. Twenty-game winner Adam Wainwright is out for the season after having reconstructive surgery on his right elbow Feb. 28. Wainwright was at the Cardinals camp in Jupiter, Fla., to begin his rehabilitation.
The Cardinals roughed up Tigers starter Phil Coke with seven runs in 3 2-3 innings.
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