Reyes extends Cards' streak of solid starts

JUPITER, Fla. -- Anthony Reyes was just as stingy as he was in the World Series opener.

The St. Louis Cardinals' right-hander allowed one hit in 4 shutout innings, lowering the rotation's ERA to a microscopic 0.88, in a 2-2, 10-inning tie with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

"I thought it went pretty well," Reyes said. "I feel like I'm getting stronger and stronger every time I go out there."

The highlight of Reyes' rookie season was eight innings of one-hit ball against the Tigers, giving them a strong start in their five-game Series victory.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa wanted Reyes to earn a spot in the rotation this spring and he's on his way after allowing one run and two hits in 10 innings over three starts.

"As far as I know, every time I've been here it's been competitive," Reyes said. "I've never had anything handed to me.

"When I get out there, it's just about competing."

Former Cardinals pitcher Jason Simontacchi, bidding for a spot in the Nationals' rotation after being out of the major leagues the last two seasons, worked five innings. He allowed two runs and four hits in his third spring start with one strikeout and no walks.

"It was great to get to throw against a team I played for," Simontacchi said. "It was a game within a game. I just enjoyed it."

Simontacchi, 33, was 20-10 with a 4.77 ERA for the Cardinals from 2002 to 2004, making 40 starts. He was the 11th starter the Cardinals used in the first 30 games in 2002, a season plagued by injuries to most of the rotation and the death of Darryl Kile, and ended up winning 11 games.

"That year he saved us," La Russa said.

Scott Rolen led off the second Wednesday with his first homer of the spring, and only the Cardinals' second in 10 home games mostly due to swirling winds, on a full-count pitch from Simontacchi. John Rodriguez followed with a double and eventually scored on Aaron Miles' one-out groundout.

Noteworthy

• Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen will get the start in his spring training debut today against the Dodgers, with Adam Wainwright following him.

Reliever Russ Springer is scheduled to make his spring debut in the same game after being sidelined by a pulled left side muscle.