Cardinals hold off Class AA affiliate

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Matt Morris gave up three runs in four innings Saturday as the St. Louis Cardinals beat their new Class-AA farm team, the Springfield Cardinals, 4-3.

The game was played in front of 10,409 raucus fans at the new $32 million Hammons Field.

Morris, recovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder, will start the season in the Florida State League.

"The ball was coming out nice. The arm responded well," said Morris, a 30-year-old right-hander. "Every day is a challenge."

Manager Tony La Russa said having Morris healthy will be critical if the Cardinals are going to successfully defend their National League title.

"Our best chance to win is to have five solid chances," La Russa said. "He's getting himself into shape and threw the ball well."

Reggie Sanders drove in two runs with a single and double.

"I wanted to get some quality at-bats. You have to fight against letting down," Sanders said.

The teams play again today.

Bonds placed on DL

The San Francisco Giants placed Barry Bonds on the 15-day disabled list Saturday as they finalized their roster for opening day, the third time the slugger has been on the DL in his career. The move is retroactive to March 25.