Santana gets best of Cards

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It would have been a great regular-season matchup: Johan Santana vs. Albert Pujols.

Pujols grounded out and walked against the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner during the Minnesota Twins' 5-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

"This was like my third time facing him," Pujols said. "He wasn't throwing 100 percent. He was just trying to get ready for the season. He knows what he's doing out there. You always look forward to facing the best pitchers in the game."

In his other at-bat, the 2005 NL MVP flied out against Dennys Reyes in the fifth.

"He's a great player," Santana said. "That's part of my job, facing great players. I'm sure he feels the same way."

Pujols has averaged 41.6 home runs during the past six seasons. Santana has 55 victories over the past three seasons, an average of 18.3.

"They're both very aware of each other, let's put it that way," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.

Santana allowed two hits, struck out four and walked two in four scoreless innings.

"I just like it when I write Santana in the lineup," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "When I do write his name down, he makes us all look smart. Very smart. I think he's the best lefty in the game. You can take the word 'lefty' out, and I would say that, too."

Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein started for the first time since the spring training opener Feb. 28, when he strained his left oblique muscle. He went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI groundout.

Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer had two hits, including a double, and Alexi Casilla had an RBI single and a sacrifice fly.

Cardinals pitcher Kip Wells struck out three in three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk.

"He has pitched very well," La Russa said.