KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Beltran spent time chatting with some old friends Friday night and reminiscing about his days playing for the Kansas City Royals. Then he made everyone at Kauffman Stadium remember what he looked like as a youngster. Beltran hit two-run doubles his first two times at the plate, leading a St. Louis Cardinals offense that matched a season high with 17 hits to an 11-4 victory over their I-70 rivals. David Freese and Tyler Greene added two RBIs each for St. Louis, and everybody in the starting lineup had a hit before the fourth inning ended. Jon Jay returned from the disabled list to go 1 for 5 and score twice, and Matt Carpenter came off the DL to go 2 for 4 with an RBI.

In other game notes:  The Royals optioned Tommy Hottovy to Triple-A Omaha;  St. Louis optioned Outfielder Adron Chambers and 1st baseman Matt Adams to Triple-A Memphis;  The Cardinals have won nine of their last 12 in Kansas City; Freese and Holliday both reached base four times; Royals relievers lead the major leagues with 268 1-3 innings pitched this season; Adam Wainwright starts today (Saturday) for St. Louis. Luis Mendoza goes to the mound for Kansas City.

Pre-game coverage of today’s game begins at 12:15-p.m., on AM 1220 and FM 101.1, KJAN.