Beltran starts to find stroke in Cardinals' 4-3 victory

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Carlos Beltran is more concerned with health than spring training stats.

Beltran, who entered with a .190 average in eight exhibition games, hit his first home run for the St. Louis Cardinals, a leadoff drive off Julio Teheran in the sixth inning during Monday's 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Beltran, who signed as a free agent after splitting last year between the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, also had a single. His home run went deep over the right-field fence.

"I think that was a pretty good indication of his strength," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "He wristed that and it was a rocket. He's getting close, and that's pretty good timing for us."

St. Louis gave Beltran a $26 million, two-year contract following the departure of Albert Pujols. The Cardinals are confident the switch-hitter can provide run production if his troublesome knees don't sidetrack him.

"I'm just happy that I feel good physically," Beltran said. "I haven't been concentrating on results. I knew that would come. My focus is on staying healthy. I've been working hard, and my knee feels good."

A bout with the flu and a sore shoulder did keep Beltran out of a few games and cut the at-bats he needs to get down his timing.

"I don't care who you are, you want to see hits as you get ready for the season," Matheny said.

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn pitched four perfect innings, then allowed one run, two hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly in the fifth. He is being prepared to join the rotation if Chris Carpenter isn't ready to start the season.

"I thought he did a great job," Matheny said. "His pitch count was exactly where we wanted it, and he'll be stronger the next time out."

Lynn pitched three scoreless innings in his first start against the Houston Astros last Wednesday. He allowed two hits and no walks while striking out three in that outing.

"I was able to get loose quicker this time," he said. "I didn't get tired in the fifth inning. It was more than I rushed things out of the stretch."

The 24-year-old had a 2.22 ERA in 16 regular-season relief appearances for St. Louis after being promoted from Class AAA Memphis, then had two wins and a 3.27 ERA during the postseason run to the World Series title.

Carpenter has been limited since March 3 because of a bulging disk in his neck. He threw batting practice for the first time since the injury Sunday.

"It's a luxury to have plenty of time to get ready this spring if they need me to start," Lynn said. "I have a chance to work on all my pitches. If I'm in the bullpen, I'll have three or four pitches to work with instead of two."

The Cardinals' Matt Carpenter hit a two-run homer in the fourth against Randall Delgado.

Brian McCann hit his first exhibition homer, a seventh-inning drive off Mitchell Boggs. Yadier Molina had two doubles and drove in a run for the Cardinals.