Worth noting

• Lefty reliever J.C. Romero, who was recently released by the Cardinals, has signed a Minor League deal with the Orioles. In eight innings with St. Louis, Romero allowed nine earned runs on 14 hits.

• This four-game series between the Cardinals and Phillies marks the first meeting between these clubs since last year's National League Division Series. The Cardinals won that series in a decisive fifth game, despite the Phillies entering as the heavy favorite.

"It's definitely something I'll never forget," Skip Schumaker said of that series. "It was quite an experience."

• In an effort to make their home run celebrations more efficient, the Cardinals have recently developed a home run receiving line in the dugout. The system, which Schumaker guessed was first suggested and coordinated by Berkman, begins by having everyone in the dugout line up along the back. The batter who just homered then runs down the line giving a string of high fives.

"I think because there are so many guys in the dugout and everyone is sick and tired of going through this whole 55 different handshakes," Schumaker said. "It's quicker, and it ends up being kind of funny, too."

Matheny said he remembers seeing a similar procession in Japanese games.

"I admire their individuality, I guess," Matheny said. "I'm sure there's going to be Little Leaguers all over the country doing that."

• After committing 10 errors from May 13-19, the Cardinals did not commit any while sweeping the Padres to begin this homestand. It was the first errorless series St. Louis had played since May 6-8, when it swept Arizona.