Cards, Wainwright Crash The Party, Defeat Marlins 4-3
Miami- New players, new Manager, new uniforms, new name, even a brand new stadium, this was supposed to be the newly christened Miami Marlins night. Instead however the night belonged to Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, who helped lead the defending World Champion Redbirds to a 4-3 victory over the Marlins on America's Opening Night. Having not made a big league start since September 24, 2010 due to elbow surgery last spring, Wainwright was simply fabulous, holding the Marlins scoreless for seven innings before an 8th inning RBI double from Emilio Bonifacio and a two run homer by Jose Reyes ended his night. His final line would read three runs allowed on 8 hits with a walk and six strikeouts over seven and two thirds innings pitched, good enough for the win thanks to some stellar relief work by Eduardo Sanchez and especially closer Jason Motte.
Motte, who saved five games during last year's postseason picked up right where he left off, fanning all three batters he faced to earn his first save of the year.