JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -Johan Santana pitched three innings in his final tuneup for opening day, allowing a pair of solo homers during the New York Mets' 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

The Mets limited Santana to 36 pitches in his final spring training start. Home runs by Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan were the only hits he allowed.

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``Everybody is excited about getting the season started,' said Santana who struck out two, pushing his spring total to 17. ``I'm very pleased with the results in spring training.'

Elbow stiffness slowed Santana early in camp, limiting the two-time Cy Young Award winner to four starts this spring. He allowed seven earned runs and 12 hits in 17 2-3 innings, walking two.

The left-hander proclaimed himself ready to start the season opener Monday at Cincinnati.

``Johan knows what he's doing,' New York manager Jerry Manuel said. ``I feel very confident that he's ready to go.'

Ankiel put the Cardinals up 1-0 when he smacked a 1-1 pitch from Santana to center field. Duncan pushed the lead to 2-0 in the second with a drive to left.

``I threw a breaking ball to Ankiel and it didn't break at all. It stayed flat in the middle of the plate and if you make a mistake, that's what you are going to get,' Santana said. ``On Duncan, I got behind in the count and tried to throw a fastball, and he hit the ball the other way.'

Playing with only two everyday starters, New York got the bulk of its offense from a couple of catchers who will start the season in the minor leagues.

The Mets tied the score in the third on Omir Santos' two-run homer to left. Santos connected again in the fifth, this time with a solo shot.

Rene Rivera replaced Santos behind the plate and in his first at-bat of the game hit a two-run homer that put the Mets up 5-2 in the eighth.

Kyle Lohse made his seventh and final start of the spring for the Cardinals, allowing three runs and seven hits in six innings. He gave up nine homers and 16 earned runs in 31 2-3 innings this spring.

``He did pitch in quite a few games where the wind was blowing out,' St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said.

Thursday will be the final game in Florida for both New York and St. Louis. The Mets host Baltimore while the Cardinals are the visiting team against Florida.

Notes: St. Louis RHP Chris Carpenter will not make his next scheduled start, an exhibition game at Triple-A Memphis. Carpenter felt a twinge in his calf while running on Monday. He said he felt better Wednesday. La Russa said the team is holding back Carpenter as a precaution. ... Santos has five homers this spring. ... Mets OF Jeremy Reed went 2-for-4, raising his average to .424.