Read More: Chris Iannetta (C – COL), Jaime Garcia (P – STL), Juan Nicasio (P – COL), Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals

Facing a tough pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia and starting rookie Juan Nicasio, the Colorado Rockies could have had a rough evening. Instead, the offense pounded St. Louis for 15 runs and Nicasio allowed one unearned run in seven innings in the 15-4 victory. He allowed six hits, walked two and struck out two.

Catcher Chris Iannetta dominated Cards pitching. He went 4-for-5 with six RBI (22 for the season). Four of those RBI came on two two-run homers (7), the other two on a two-run single in the first. The Rockies scored six runs in the first inning off of Garcia and chased him out of the game after 3.1 innings. He finished the night with 12 runs allowed and his first loss of the year. His ERA rose from 1.93 to 3.28.

Eric Young Jr. led off the game and played second (but moved to left field later in the game). He went 3-for-6 with his first RBI and first stolen base of the season. With the exceptions of Helton, Nicasio and Wigginton all of the starters collected at least two hits. Ryan Spilborghs also turned in a good night with three hits and four RBI. He did it on a bases-loaded walk in the first, an RBI single in the second and a two-run triple in the fourth. The team was 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

This series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. MT. Kyle Lohse and Jhoulys Chacin are the scheduled starters.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. To learn about the Cardinals head over to Viva El Birdos and SB Nation St. Louis.

Updated Mar 15, 2011 12:01 PM ET

ST. LOUIS (AP)

St. Louis Cardinals projected opening day pitcher Chris Carpenter is set to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two starts.

Carpenter left his March 1 spring debut in the third inning with a left hamstring strain. He’s scheduled to make his second spring start Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla.

Barring another setback, manager Tony La Russa anticipated the right-hander would have no problem elevating his pitch count in time for the opener. Carpenter would get two more spring starts before the March 31 opener against the San Diego Padres at home.

”He kept his arm in shape so it’s not going to be a traditional first time out there,” La Russa said. ”If he takes the ball every time he’s supposed to, he should be at 100. He’s strong.”

Infielder Tyler Greene was absent for a second straight day because of flulike symptoms. Third baseman David Freese, coming off a pair of ankle operations, had the day off after playing on consecutive days. He was scheduled to make the bus trip to play the Tigers on Wednesday.

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals projected Opening Day pitcher Chris Carpenter is set to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two starts.

Carpenter left his March 1 spring debut in the third inning with a left hamstring strain. He’s scheduled to make his second spring start Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla.

Barring another setback, manager Tony La Russa anticipated the right-hander would have no problem elevating his pitch count in time for the opener. Carpenter would get two more spring starts before the March 31 opener against the San Diego Padres at home.

“He kept his arm in shape so it’s not going to be a traditional first time out there,” La Russa said. “If he takes the ball every time he’s supposed to, he should be at 100. He’s strong.”

Infielder Tyler Greene was absent for a second straight day because of flulike symptoms. Third baseman David Freese, coming off a pair of ankle operations, had the day off after playing on consecutive days. He was scheduled to make the bus trip to play the Tigers on Wednesday.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals projected Opening Day pitcher Chris Carpenter is set to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two starts.

Carpenter left his March 1 spring debut in the third inning with a left hamstring strain. He’s scheduled to make his second spring start Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla.

Barring another setback, manager Tony La Russa anticipated the right-hander would have no problem elevating his pitch count in time for the opener. Carpenter would get two more spring starts before the March 31 opener against the San Diego Padres at home.

“He kept his arm in shape so it’s not going to be a traditional first time out there,” La Russa said. “If he takes the ball every time he’s supposed to, he should be at 100. He’s strong.”

Infielder Tyler Greene was absent for a second straight day because of flulike symptoms. Third baseman David Freese, coming off a pair of ankle operations, had the day off after playing on consecutive days. He was scheduled to make the bus trip to play the Tigers on Wednesday.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press