Cardinals defeat Nationals, 9-7, in first meeting

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Mark Mulder threw three strong innings, rebounding nicely from a disappointing spring training debut to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-7 win Tuesday over the Washington Nationals.

In his second start of the spring, Mulder allowed two runs and five hits in three innings, walking one and striking out three.

"I gave up a couple of runs but they were the only two bad pitches I made," Mulder said after the Cardinals' fourth straight win. "I felt much better. My delivery was better and I was locating the ball better."

It was a big improvement for Mulder, who lasted only one inning in his first spring training appearance against the Mets. He needed 44 pitches to get three outs in that one, walking four and giving up a two-run single. Acquired from Oakland in the offseason, Mulder this time looked a whole lot more like the No. 1 starter the Cardinals expected.

"I started using all my pitches today," Mulder said. "In my first start, I was getting behind, then I was picky. I wasn't going to do that this time. Today, I was going to throw my four-seamer down the middle and hey, if they hit it, so be it."

Mark Grudzielanek, brought in along with David Eckstein to form the Cardinals' new middle infield, had three hits. Eckstein reached base three times from the leadoff spot.

"Dave gives you a real tough at-bat every time and that's an important part of being successful," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.

John Mabry, who sat out the past few days with a sore right elbow, had a pinch-hit home run.

"The elbow is all right," Mabry said.

Esteban Loaiza started for the Nationals, allowing one run and seven hits in four innings.

Tony Blanco had three hits and two RBIs for Washington, and Endy Chavez was 2-for-4 with an RBI.