Holliday hits first 2 home runs this spring, Cardinals beat Mets 9-4

Holliday hits first 2 HRs this spring, Cards win

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Matt Holliday hit his first two home runs this spring and the St. Louis Cardinals roughed up Oliver Perez in a 9-4 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday.

The Cardinals homered three times off Perez. Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run shot in the first inning and Holliday followed with a long drive.

Brendan Ryan added a two-run homer the next inning, and Perez made it through just 2 1-3 innings before being pulled. The left-hander, coming back from knee surgery late last season, gave up seven runs on six hits and two walks.

Holliday added his second home run in the seventh inning off Kiko Calero.

Cardinals opening-day starter Chris Carpenter walked six in five innings. He allowed one earned run and four hits in five innings.