JUPITER, Fla. _ Cardinals righthander Kyle McClellan, making his first start since he made one in spring training last year, dispatched the Florida Marlins on one hit and no runs over the first three innings of an exhibition game today at Roger Dean Stadium.
McClellan, featuring effective breaking stuff to go with his fastball, fanned three of the first six hitters he faced and four overall. Before the game, McClellan, who made 66 relief appearances last season for the Cardinals, was pacing in the clubhouse, anxious to make his initial bid for the final available starting job in the Cardinals’ rotation.
“This is the only thing I don’t like about this,” said McClellan. “I’ve pitched this game 40 times in my mind already.”
Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez got the only hit off the St. Louisan, a two-out single in the first. McClellan threw 25 strikes out of his 39 pitches, and turned a 1-0 lead over to veteran hander Rich Hill, who is McClellan’s chief competition for the starting job.
-stltoday
Rich Hill is gonna have his work cut out for him going after that fifth spot. Great outings so far by Mac, Garcia, and Lance Lynn.