Pujols, Ryan hit HRs in Cards' exhibition win

JUPITER, Fla. -- Albert Pujols and Brendan Ryan both hit solo homers to back Chris Carpenter, who allowed one run in six innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday.

Carpenter, last year's runner-up in NL Cy Young voting, struck out seven and allowed two hits in his longest outing of the spring.

Carpenter held a Mets lineup mostly devoid of likely Opening Day starters hitless through four innings.

Trailing 2-0, Fernando Tatis broke up Carpenter's no-hitter with a leadoff single in the fifth inning. Frank Catalalanotto followed with a double, scoring Tatis.

Carpenter did not allow a hit the rest of the way.

-- The Associated Press