Cards return to using DH against Mets

JUPITER, Fla. -- One day after starter Joe Kelly went 3-for-3 at the plate, the Cardinals returned to the designated hitter for Sunday's game against the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium.

Kelly, who drove in two runs and scored twice, did so in the first game St. Louis pitchers hit this spring.

Sunday's starter Adam Wainwright, owner of a .205 average with six home runs and 33 RBIs in eight Major League seasons, will have to wait until his next outing to pick up a bat. Matt Holliday was the DH, batting third in the order.

"He wasn't happy," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I just told him it wasn't our decision. Blame it on the Mets, which isn't altogether true. He blamed [bench coach Mike] Aldrete, so I'm good with it."

New York brought a split squad, with half of its team in Las Vegas for Big League Weekend against the Cubs.

Matheny took prior trips to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., into account when filling out a lineup for Friday. St. Louis initially planned for pitchers to hit after Tuesday's day off.

"This could've been one of those days that we did [hit]," Matheny said. "The reason we've done it definitely with the Braves is that's something we've had in the past been an issue.

"We showed up there and weren't quite ready, so we just prepared knowing that they do like having their pitchers hit. Unfortunately for us, the pitchers did hit yesterday."