Cardinals Drop Spring Opener 6-3

Matt Holliday made a diving catch on
Monday, but it wasn't enough for the
Cardinals to turn around their awful
spring. - AP Photo

Its been a terrible start to Spring Training for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Between the Albert Pujols contract saga and losing Adam Wainwright for the season due to Tommy John surgery, things have just not gotten off on the right foot for the Redbirds.

And they didn't get any better when the actual exhibition games began, as the Cardinals dropped their opener to the Florida Marlins on Monday by the score of 6-3.

Surprise Cardinals starter Raul Valdes, auditioning for a chance to make the big league club, didn't score any points with the skipper on Monday. 

Valdes allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in just 2 innings of work. 

But the bullpen was very good for St. Louis, including perfectly worked frames by Eduardo Sanchez and Fernando Salas.

Newcomer Lance Berkman also made some news in his first "unofficial" game with St. Louis, homering in his first at-bat. 

The Cardinals will try to turn their spring around tomorrow when the face the Marlins yet again at Roger Dean Stadium.