Wainwright enjoys sharp debut; Lynn allows five runs
JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez and Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright both tossed scoreless outings in their spring debuts, while Adeiny Hechavarria collected three RBIs in Miami's 7-3 victory over St. Louis on Friday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium.
Alvarez, who missed his scheduled start last Sunday with an infection on his right shin, needed just 26 pitches (19 strikes) to pitch three perfect innings. It was his first game in a Marlins uniform since his no-hitter on Closing Day of the 2013 season.
Wainwright, who was already named St. Louis' Opening Day starter, threw two scoreless frames. He struck out a batter and allowed a single on 25 pitches (15 strikes).
Miami backed Alvarez with three runs in the third on a trio of doubles off right-hander Lance Lynn.
With one out, Donovan Solano doubled and scored on Hechavarria's two-base hit down the third-base line. Matt Angle flied out to right before Christian Yelich walked and Giancarlo Stanton turned on the first pitch for a two-run double.
The Marlins added a pair of runs in the fourth on Jeff Mathis' one-out RBI single and Hechavarria's sacrifice fly. The rally began with one out when Jeff Baker laced a ball off the wall in right. Initially called foul, the umpires convened and awarded him a double.
Lynn, who is expected to be a member of the Cardinals' rotation, gave up five runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings. He was initially scheduled to start Friday's game, but followed Wainwright after Thursday's game was rained out.
"I like to throw the curveball, [but] just couldn't get it in the zone against the righties," Lynn said. "Fastball was just not exactly where I wanted it."
St. Louis answered with two runs in the fourth on a pair of walks and hits against Miami lefty Brian Flynn. Matt Adams produced a one-out RBI single and Shane Robinson a two-out RBI double following consecutive free passes to Matt Carpenter and Mark Ellis.
Hechavarria knocked another sac fly in the sixth off righty Keith Butler, who went 2 1/3 innings. Adams blasted a solo shot against Miami closer Steve Cishek with one out in the sixth. Righty Eric Fornataro surrendered a run in the eighth on J.T. Realmuto's sacrifice fly to cap the scoring.
Up next: After being slowed by a groin strain, Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal is ready to make his spring debut, and he will do so Saturday, when the Cardinals host the Nationals in a 12:05 p.m. CT game at Roger Dean Stadium. Michael Wacha will start the game for St. Louis and should be pushed to a pitch count of about 50-55 in his second spring outing. Wacha continues to vie for a spot in the Cardinals' Opening Day rotation.