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Rasmus blasts cannons to beat Pirates

ROOKIE outfielder Colby Rasmus belted a mammoth two-run homer in the second inning to help the St Louis Cardinals to a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday.

Rasmus, who is starting in place of the injured Rick Ankiel, jump-started a slumping Cardinals' offense that had scored just three runs in two previous losses to the Pirates.

"That's the goal, every time. Get a good pitch to hit, put a good swing on it and hit it hard somewhere," Ramus said of the home run, which went outside the park and bounced into the nearby Allegheny River. It was estimated to have travelled 140 meters.

"Its been a while. I used to hit (home runs) with a little more regularity but now they don't come as much."

It was just the second home run of his major league career.

Starter Mitchell Boggs went 4 1/3 innings and allowed one run before being relieved after Pittsburgh loaded the bases in the fifth inning.

Five St Louis pitchers then combined to end the threat and ensure the Cardinals avoided being swept in a three-game series for the first time this season.

Freddy Sanchez went 3-for-5 and Robinson Diaz had an RBI single in the fourth inning for the Pirates (14-20), who are in last place in the National League Central division.

Starter Jeff Karstens completed six innings while surrendering three runs, two from Rasmus's homer.

St Louis slugger Albert Pujols had a two-RBI single in the eighth innings off reliever Evan Meek.

The Cardinals (21-14) have relied on Pujols, the National League's MVP, to provide much of their run production due to the injuries to offensive threats Ankiel and right fielder Ryan Ludwick, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday.

"It was a tough trip, but getting the last one in both places, that makes the trip look different," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa of the two games his team won in six on the road. "Not a good one, but it makes it look different."



 

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