Mulder sharp in Cardinals' victory Friday vs. Giants

SAN FRANCISCO -- Mark Mulder threw his reliable sinker as well as he has all season Friday night, and he made the same kind of quick work of the Giants that he used to of opponents across San Francisco Bay in Oakland.

Mulder pitched seven shutout innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Giants 3-1.

Mulder (10-5), pitching in the area for the first time since the Athletics traded him in December, won his second straight decision. He allowed four hits, struck out one and walked one in an impressive 73-pitch performance before he came out with a tweaked left groin that isn't considered serious.

Larry Walker hit a two-run homer and Reggie Sanders added a solo shot as the Cardinals won for the sixth time in eight games.

Al Reyes allowed a two-out solo home run to Pedro Feliz in the eighth to spoil a chance for the team's eighth shutout. Jason Isringhausen worked the ninth for his 24th save in 26 chances.

Mulder improved to 6-2 in eight starts against San Francisco. The 6-foot-6 lefty needed only five pitches to get through each of the fourth and sixth innings -- just the kind of efficiency the former A's ace became known for in five seasons with Oakland.

On the first pitch Mulder threw to Jason Ellison in the seventh, the pitcher slipped and injured the groin.

Walker hit his 10th homer in the first inning, hitting the ball deep into McCovey Cove. The shot was estimated at 455 feet.