Cardinals use bases-loaded triple to beat Red Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Shane Robinson hit a bases-loaded triple in the eighth inning to chase Boston pitcher Daniel Bard, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Red Sox 9-6 on Thursday.

Bard, trying to convert to a starter after serving as Boston's setup man, allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The Cardinals trailed 6-4 entering the eighth inning but Robinson, a reserve center fielder, cleared the bases with his triple.

"I actually felt pretty comfortable because I'd faced Bard all three years of college," said Robinson, who went to Florida State when Bard was at North Carolina. "I was just looking for something I could do some damage with. He gave me a pitch to hit."

Boston starter Alfredo Aceves, one of the pitchers Bard is competing with, scattered three hits over four innings and struck out four while allowing just one run.

The start was Aceves' first of the spring and he has a 1.00 ERA over nine innings.

He allowed three hits in the first two innings before retiring six consecutive batters to conclude his appearance.

Kyle Lohse made the start for the Cardinals and allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings. He gave up a two-run home run to Darnell McDonald in the fourth.

Lohse did not allow a run over his first three innings on the mound. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny indicated Lohse began to tire in the fourth inning.

"I thought he looked good in the first three [innings]," Matheny said. "When he starts feeling a little bit fatigued, the ball starts coming up for him. That's kind of something I've seen from him in the past. As we stretch him out, he's going to get stronger and carry that good stuff later in the game."

Cardinal right fielder Erik Komatsu had an RBI double to right-center field in the top of the second inning to open the game's scoring.

St. Louis shortstop Rafael Furcal was 2 for 4 with an RBI.