Sheffield, Braves roll to 6-1 win

JUPITER, Fla. -- Gary Sheffield hit two home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves over the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 Sunday.

Darren Bragg, who played for the Cardinals in 1999, doubled home two runs in the Braves' three-run sixth. Third baseman Mike Hessman hit a solo homer for Atlanta's final run in the ninth.

Sheffield hit both homers to left field off Garrett Stephenson.

"He hung two changeups and the guy hit two home runs," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "Sheffield is a superstar."

Pinch-hitter Eduardo Perez doubled home Tino Martinez with the Cardinals' only run in the fifth. Albert Pujols extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-out double in the sixth.

Making his third start of the spring, Stephenson became the first St. Louis pitcher to go five innings. He gave up only one other hit and struck out two.

"I can't pitch any better than that," Stephenson said after an efficient performance. "For the first time, I felt like I was really pitching. Every day is a work in progress."

He threw 44 pitches, then 20 more in the bullpen after coming out of the game.

"I just needed to reach my pitch count," he said. "There are other pitchers on the team who need work. I can't be greedy."

Since going 16-9 in 2000, Stephenson has been fighting injuries. He missed the 2001 season after "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow in April and was on the disabled list twice last summer, first with a back strain, then a stained hamstring.

In between, he made 10 starts in 12 appearances for a 2-5 record and a 5.40 ERA. Still, La Russa declined to get too excited.

"It was a good day's work and he is making progress," the manager said. "But it's too early to get too excited. It's only March 9. There is a long way to go."

Joe Dawley, making his first start, pitched two shutout innings for Atlanta.Noteworthy

***The Cardinals and Braves play here again today with Brett Tomko scheduled to start for St. Louis against Horacio Ramirez. Rick Ankiel is slated to be the third Cardinals pitcher.