"The first game was an offensive game, and the second game was a defensive game," Thurston said. "I took something positive out of the experience."

Thurston was called upon to start both games after Brendan Ryan became ill earlier in the day.

"You wouldn't do it with a guy that's one of your core guys," manager Tony La Russa said. "But it gives you an extra opportunity to make an impression. As long as your body rallies, and his did."

Joel Pineiro scattered five hits in four scoreless innings for the Cardinals with three strikeouts and no walks. The Cardinals' fifth starter hasn't allowed an earned run in 10 innings over three spring outings.

He benefited from strong defense. Second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir made a leaping catch of Guillermo Quiroz's liner with two men on to end the fourth and Thurston snagged Jolbert Cabrera's liner down the line in the second.

"I left a couple sinkers up and they got some hits, but when I got it down I got a lot of ground balls," Pineiro said. "I kept it in the strike zone, and made them put the ball in play."

Orioles prospect Brad Bergesen allowed three runs on four hits in the first two innings, then retired his final 10 hitters. In 4 2-3 innings, the 23-year-old right-hander gave up two earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

The Cardinals bunched three straight hits after Bergesen retired the first two batters in the first.

"The biggest mistake was not finishing that inning," Bergesen said. "After that I gathered myself and I thought I got into a rhythm."

Bergesen was the Orioles' minor league pitcher of the year last season, going a combined 16-7 with a 3.10 ERA at Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. He's vying for a spot in the rotation.

"Obviously, that is my goal, to be in Baltimore," Bergesen said. "That's everyone's goal. I just want to keep doing my job, that's all I can control."

Chris Duncan had a two-run double in the first and Thurston had a run-scoring groundout in the second for St. Louis. Ryan Ludwick, batting .120 entering the game, had two hits.

Rookie Jason Motte gave up a run on two hits in the ninth before earning his second save. Cabrera tripled after left fielder John Jay lost his fly ball in the lights and then slipped, and Guillermo Rodriguez drove him in with an infield hit.

Notes: The Cardinals will dedicate their batting cage to longtime coach Dave Ricketts, who died last July, on Saturday morning. ... Joe Mather, who led the majors with 13 RBIs entering the game, was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. ... The Cardinals have won five in a row; the Orioles have lost six of seven.