Keisler gives 'pen a lift in 2-1 victory

JUPITER, Fla. -- Randy Keisler hopes solid bullpen efforts will make a case for a spot in the St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation.

The left-hander pitched three shutout innings and struck out three in relief of Kip Wells as the Cardinals beat a Minnesota Twins' split squad 2-1 Thursday.

"He was impressive," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He actually did better than Wells."

Wells gave up six hits and no earned runs.

Keisler signed as a free agent with the Cardinals on Nov. 14, declining contract offers from Japan.

Cardinals reliever Randy Keisler threw during the fourth inning of Thursday's spring training game against the Minnesota Twins in Jupiter, Fla. (CHARLIE RIEDEL ~ Associated Press)

"I've been offered the last three years in Japan, but I believe I can be a starter in the major leagues," he said. "I don't want to go over there."

Keisler has 17 major league starts, 10 of those in 2001 with the New York Yankees.

Tagg Bozied doubled home Ryan Ludwick with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth, after Jason Kubel's RBI double in the top of the eighth tied it for Minnesota.

The Twins had six singles in the first two innings, but a caught stealing and a double play kept them from scoring.

Minnesota starter Scott Baker pitched three innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out four.