Cards' Miller sharp in exhibition debut vs. Red Sox

JUPITER, Fla. -- Shelby Miller finally got a chance to pitch against the Boston Red Sox.

The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander gave up a leadoff home run in his spring training debut Wednesday, then retired eight in a row to help beat Boston 8-6. The game was a relaxed rematch of last year's World Series, won by the Red Sox.

Miller, who was held out of the World Series because the Cardinals didn't want to add to the rookie's seasonlong workload -- a decision made easier because of Michael Wacha's rise, gave up a homer to Daniel Nava on his second pitch. That was the lone baserunner allowed by Miller, who struck out five -- four looking -- and reached 95 mph on the radar gun.

"Physically I felt amazing out there," he said. "It's still early and we've got to build up, but I felt like the fastball was coming out of my hand really good."

Boston newcomer Chris Capuano, pitching his first game, went two innings and allowed two runs on a homer by Xavier Scruggs. Xander Bogaerts homered for the Red Sox.

The stakes will be higher when the reigning NL and AL champions meet in St. Louis on Aug. 5 to 7.

Noteworthy

A replay review in the eighth inning took only about a minute despite technical trouble.

The umpires' ruling on a 1-4-3 inning-ending double play turned by the Red Sox was upheld after Matheny challenged the call. A headset in the TV truck didn't work and had to be replaced, the umpire crew said.