Cards defeat Springfield in final exhibition

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Larry Walker and Albert Pujols hit consecutive homers in a five-run fifth inning and four other Cardinals homered in St. Louis' 18-6 victory over Double-A Springfield on Sunday.

Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Yadier Molina and Hector Luna also homered for St. Louis, which will open the regular season Tuesday night in Houston in a rematch of the Cardinals' seven-game victory last year in the NL championship series.

Pujols had seven homers in 75 at-bats without a strikeout in exhibition play.

Newly acquired left-hander Mark Mulder pitched six innings for the victory, giving up six hits and four earned runs.