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Mather Leading Cards' Third-Base Race

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The Associated Press

Published: March 10, 2009

JUPITER - Joe Mather appears increasingly likely to be the St. Louis Cardinals' opening-day starter at third base.

Mather drew yet another start and went 1-for-3 Tuesday in the Cardinals' 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

With Troy Glaus still coming back from shoulder surgery, and David Freese and Brett Wallace having been reassigned to the Cardinals' minor league camp, the job appears to be Mather's for the April 6 opener against Pittsburgh.

"Obviously the way Mather has shown his ability to play third and being able to step in did alleviate some of the stress we would have had with Troy's absence," St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said.

Neither Mozeliak nor manager Tony La Russa said anything to Mather about the roster moves. The player can interpret them on his own,

"I guess it gives me a sense of the confidence they have in me," said Mather, who is hitting .269 this spring training.

Detroit starter Zach Miner, in a four-way competition to become Detroit's fifth starter, allowed three runs and seven hits in three innings. Miner, 1-2, allowed a broken-bat single to Skip Schumaker in the first, and Chris Duncan followed with his second homer.

Duncan singled in a run in the third.

"You are going to have days when you go out there and you just don't feel good, and it's everything you can do not to get knocked out in the third," said Miner, who played high school ball at nearby Palm Beach Gardens. "Then the days you do feel good and don't take advantage of it, that's the worst. That's kind of how I felt today and the last game."

Chris Lambert, a former first-round choice by the Cardinals in 2004 and the player to be named when Detroit traded Mike Maroth to St. Louis in 2007, relieved Minor and walked one batter in one inning.

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