Lohse sharp in Cardinals' 9-2 spring training win against Twins

JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis pitcher Kyle Lohse allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, and the Cardinals beat the Minnesota Twins 9-2 on Sunday.

"Each of the last starts I had something I wanted to concentrate on, and today was kind of a mix of all," Lohse said. "I was able to drop some good curveballs in. My slider was really good. My changeup was good. I was just continually trying to locate the fastball better and better."

Lohse didn't allow a base runners until the fifth inning after a home run by Luke Hughes in the first.

Lohse allowed his only other run in the sixth when the first three batters reached on hits.

Minnesota pitcher Nick Blackburn retired the first 10 batters he faced before Carlos Beltran's one-out bloop single fell barely inside the left-field line. Matt Holliday reached out and pulled the next pitch, a changeup, over the left field wall, putting the Cardinals up 2-1.

Lance Berkman's RBI single in the sixth gave the Cardinals a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Shane Robinson and Jon Jay added home runs.

-- Associated Press