Cardinals' pitching shines in 7-1 win

The Associated Press

JUPITER, Fla. -- Jason Simontacchi and Dustin Hermanson each pitched two scoreless innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 7-1 Monday.

Soon after the game started, St. Louis manager Tony La Russa left for his home in Oakland to attend the trial of a defendant accused of assaulting one of his daughters.

Details of the crime against Bianca La Russa, 23, were not released by the team. La Russa said in a statement that the trial begins this week for a crime that happened several years ago.

"I feel that it is important for me to join my family and give my daughter support during this difficult time," La Russa said. "I will be gone for several days."

Coaches Jose Oquendo and Joe Pettini will run the team and pitching coach Dave Duncan will continue to handle the staff in La Russa's absence.

Pedro Astacio pitched three scoreless innings for the Mets. Tino Martinez drove in two runs and Ivanon Coffie hit two doubles for the Cardinals.

Simontacchi, Hermanson, Jeff Fassero, Lance Painter, Al Levine and Russ Springer combined to shut out the Mets on two hits. New York scored its only run in the eighth off Joey Hamilton after Timo Perez led off with a double.

Hermanson, who pitched the third and fourth innings, got credit for the victory. He allowed one hit.

"It was good to get the first one out of the way," said Hermanson, who returned to the Cardinals after spending last season in Boston. "I feel if I do my job I'll be able to stick with this team."

"It's just a different atmosphere in a game with umpires, without the batting cages. It gives you a different perspective than pitching in the bullpen or in batting practice," he said.

Hermanson, Simontacchi, Garrett Stephenson and Cal Eldred are competing for the last two spots in the rotation. Notes: Albert Pujols got his first day off Monday. He was the only member of the Cardinals to play in each of the first four spring games, hitting safely in each one. ... St. Louis 2B Fernando Vina missed his third straight game. He sustained a mild concussion when he landed on his neck and head on a play Friday. "My neck is still a little sore but I feel all right," Vina said. "It's just a day-to-day thing." Vina took a high throw from pitcher Chance Capel and fell over the baserunner, the Mets' Timo Perez. ... Cardinals LHP Rick Ankiel is expected to make his second appearance of the spring Tuesday against Los Angeles.