St. Louis ends spring with loss to Mets

JUPITER, Fla. -- Billy Wagner got back on the mound Saturday, struck out two in a scoreless inning and declared himself fit to start the season.

The Mets' new closer had not pitched in a Grapefruit League game in two weeks because of stiffness in a finger on his pitching hand. He gave up two hits in New York's 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, the exhibition finale for both teams.

Aaron Miles was named St. Louis' starting second baseman in the season opener Monday at Philadelphia. He beat out Junior Spivey and Hector Luna for the job.

"Aaron had good at-bats, he's hustled and he played well defensively," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He's given us a lift."

Miles hit .361 for the spring while Spivey slumped to .147 and Luna batted .207. Spivey's error Saturday was his fifth.

Jason Marquis, who will start for St. Louis on Thursday in Philadelphia, allowed three hits and one unearned run in 5 2/3 innings, dropping his ERA to 1.96.

Chris Woodward's single off Braden Looper in the eighth inning scored Chase Lambin with the go-ahead run.

The Cardinals (15-14-1) scored on Skip Schumaker's home run.