Wainwright struggles in spring debut against Rays

JUPITER, Fla. — Adam Wainwright expected to be a lot sharper in his first spring training appearance.

Wainwright allowed three runs — two earned — on five hits and a walk in two innings of the St. Louis Cardinals' 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday.

The right-hander said he was disappointed when asked about his outing.

"Because I know I should have been better than I was," Wainwright said. "I was prepared to throw better than that. It's not something I will hang my head over. It's something I can build on."

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa wasn't concerned considering Wainwright will make six more appearances before he's expected to start on opening day.

"He was all right for the first time out," La Russa said. "He missed a couple of times, but it wasn't like he was wild."

Things went much better for Rays starter Wade Davis, who now has had two impressive outings as he attempts to earn a spot in manager Joe Maddon's rotation.

St. Louis Cardinals' Skip Schumaker, right, gets up after scoring on a wild pitch by Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Julio DePaula, left, during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 2, 2009, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Davis allowed one hit and no runs in 3 2/3 innings. He pitched two perfect innings against the Yankees in his first spring outing.

"I kept the ball on the ground; they made some good plays and I threw the ball good again," Davis said. "If I keep doing that I'll be all right."

Davis believes he'll start the season in Class AAA but added, "hopefully I'll get a chance at some point this year."

The Rays built a 3-0 lead for Davis on Evan Longoria's run-scoring double in the first and two runs in the second, one coming on Adam Kennedy's single.

The Cardinals' Brian Barton rounds second on a fifth-inning triple.

Longoria reached base all three times he batted with a single, double and walk. Kennedy was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. The Rays signed Kennedy to a minor league contract after the Cardinals released him in early February. The Cardinals still owe him $4 million for the final year of his contract.

Kennedy and Maddon were part of the 2002 World Series champion Angels. Kennedy was the second baseman and Maddon a coach.

"He's one of the best teammates, best clubhouse guys I've ever been around," Maddon said.

Kennedy holds no grudges against the Cardinals, although he and La Russa had their differences during his second of two seasons in St. Louis, mostly over Kennedy's playing time.

St. Louis Cardinals' Brian Barton rounds second and heads for third on a triple during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, March 2, 2009, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

La Russa and Kennedy have not spoken, but La Russa plans on calling his former player.

"I'm going to say what I said to him all along," La Russa said. "It was nothing personal about him. I have great respect for him personally and professionally."

Rick Ankiel had two hits, including a double, and Skip Schumaker had an RBI double for the Cardinals.