Morris leads interleague shutout of Kansas City

ST. LOUIS -- Matt Morris pitched eight innings of two-hit ball to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Morris (9-4) allowed singles in the first and second innings and then retired 12 consecutive batters before issuing a fifth-inning walk to Brent Mayne. Morris then retired eight more before walking pinch-hitter Donzel McDonald.

Steve Kline got the final out in the ninth for his second save. Dave Veres began the ninth, gave up a one-out double to Mike Sweeney and retired Joe Randa before yielding to Kline.

It was Morris' 50th victory as a starter. He left after 119 pitches, walking three and striking out seven. He also drove in a run with an RBI single in the fourth.

Kansas City put two runners on base in the first inning -- the only time they had two baserunners in the same inning. Carlos Febles singled with one out in the first and advanced on a groundout.

Sweeney drew a walk before Randa flew out.

The only other Royals player to reach second was Neifi Perez, who stole second after reaching on a fielder's choice in the eighth.

Morris has won 19 of his last 24 decisions. He has won 18 of his last 24 home starts and is 32-15 at Busch Stadium.

Eli Marrero gave Morris the only run he needed in the second inning. With one out, Marrero hit a 2-1 offering from Miguel Asencio (1-1) over the left-field wall.

The Cardinals scored two runs in the fourth. Marrero and Mike DeFelice each singled with one out. Morris looped a single over first to drive in Marrero. Fernando Vina's sacrifice fly scored DeFelice to make it 3-0.