Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter VI Mobile College Basketball March Mayhem Picks College Basketball March Mayhem Picks VegasInsider.com VegasInsider.com
Handicapper Bios Sports Picks Free Odds Contests Sportsbook
VI Home NFL NBANHLMLBNCAA FBNCAA BKGolfAutoHorsesBoxingVI More Sports
 
MLB Scores Matchups Teams Standings
 
 · Regular Season
Schedules Injuries News
 
 · Latest News
 · Player Updates
 · Transactions
Buy Picks Vegas Odds
 
 · Vegas Odds
 · Offshore Odds
 · Future Odds
 
Recap: Cardinals , Astros
 •  BT Movements
Game: 0
Venue:
Date: March 07, 2009 1:05 PM EDT
  

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -Khalil Greene is fitting in quite nicely with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Greene drove in two runs to lead St. Louis to a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Greene hit just .213 with 10 home runs for San Diego last year, and struck out 100 times in 105 games. The Cardinals acquired the shortstop from the Padres in December for two prospects.

Advertisement

St. Louis is hoping Greene can return to the form he showed in 2007, when he had 27 homers, 44 doubles and 97 RBIs.

``As far as the change of scenery goes, I think it could be a good thing,' Greene said. ``Being in a new environment has been reinvigorating of sorts. Not having a comfort level and seeing things in a novel way again.'

Greene's range at shortstop also is helping ease the transition of Skip Schumaker, who is being converted into a second baseman after starting at each of the three outfield positions last year.

``It's been nice to have him over there and have him talking to me and let me know what's about to happen,' Schumaker said. ``I'm thinking about enough anyways so when he mentions something it's nice for me to kind of keep my mind off of it and focus on one thing, rather than a million things.'

Schumaker's transition became more important after the Cardinals released Adam Kennedy last month. The team also let Felipe Lopez and Aaron Miles depart via free agency in the offseason.

Manager Tony La Russa said he's pleased with how Schumaker has handled the switch.

``He's doing exactly what he needs to do,' La Russa said of Schumaker. ``In steps, he's getting more comfortable. He's done well enough to where we want him to keep doing it.

``What was necessary for the position was to be a good athlete, be willing to work, be tough as nails and he's got all that, plus he's got a great arm.'

The 29-year-old Schumaker had never played second base and hadn't played the infield since college. He knows the transition will take time.

``Everything's coming at once and it can be a little overwhelming at times,' said Schumaker, who hit .302 with 163 hits in his first full major league season last year. ``The ball gets there a lot quicker. Everything's new to me. But the key has been to slow the game down, not be so antsy out there.'

Colby Rasmus also drove in two runs against Houston, and Albert Pujols went 0-for-3 with a walk and scored a run.

Lance Berkman went 1-for-3 with a double and John Gall drove in the Astros' run in the ninth.

Joel Pineiro, the Cardinals' likely No. 5 starter, struck out three in four shutout innings. He allowed one hit and walked none in his second spring start.

``I thought he was real sharp,' La Russa said. ``He's a very talented guy. He's had a couple of years where the numbers weren't very good for one reason or the other. But he's got a bunch of pitches. We think if he stays healthy, he'll have a solid year.'

Mike Hampton allowed two runs and three hits in three innings for Houston, which has managed just one run and six hits in the last two games and dropped to 1-7 this spring.

Astros manager Cecil Cooper held a closed-door meeting with his staff before morning workouts and put it on his coaches to address the team's lackadaisical play by holding individual player meetings during Saturday workouts.

``I'm just calling to their attention that we need to pay attention to details and do things the proper way,' Cooper said before Saturday's game. ``And it should start right now, not two weeks from now.'

Notes: X-rays on Astros OF Reggie Abercrombie's injured left foot revealed a broken toe. He will wear a boot on his foot and will be re-evaluated after a week. He was injured when he fouled a pitch off the foot Friday night against Atlanta. ... Astros OF Jason Michaels was removed after the first inning due to a mild left hamstring strain.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2012
The Associated Press
All Rights Reserved

 BETTING TRENDS
 Team  ML   RUN   O/U 
 STL         
 HOU         
BT MOVEMENTS

 
 
  
GOLD Membership
Receive a 20% discount on all Daily Picks. Signup Today!
 
 
Las Vegas Travel
 
 

NFL
NFL Picks
NFL Odds
NFL Matchups
NFL Scores

NBA
NBA Picks
NBA Odds
NBA Matchups
NBA Scores

MLB
MLB Picks
MLB Odds
MLB Matchups
MLB Scores


NCAA FB
NCAA FB Picks
NCAA FB Odds
NCAA FB Matchups
NCAA FB Scores

NCAA BK
NCAA BK Picks
NCAA BK Odds
NCAA BK Matchups
NCAA BK Scores

NHL
NHL Picks
NHL Odds
NHL Matchups
NHL Scores


More Sports
Golf
Auto Racing
Horse Racing
Boxing
UFC
WNBA
Soccer

Features
Free Odds
Mobile Odds
Contests
Newsletters
VI Radio
Las Vegas Travel
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook


Sports Betting Tools
Live Odds
Parlay Calculator
Gaming Terms
TV Listings
Handicapping Records
Sportsbook Reviews

VegasInsider Info
About Us
Help Center
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
User Feedback

Sportsbooks
BetOnline.ag
Bodog.ca
Bookmaker
Bovada.lv
SBG Global.eu
Sportsbook
TopBet.com

Rotation Schedules
Baseball:

 
Mar 28 - June 5

Copyright © 1997-2012, VegasInsider.com Inc., The Global Leader In Sports Gaming Information. All rights reserved.
For questions or comments, please contact us at 1-800-211-4759.