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Beltran, Westbrook hurt as Cards beat Miami 8-2

Sports

February 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Beltran and Jake Westbrook limped to the St. Louis Cardinals’ clubhouse moments apart Thursday. Beltran bruised the little toe on his right foot when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning of the Cardinals’ 8-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. Westbrook bruised his left leg below the knee on a grounder hit by Casey Kotchman in the second inning.

Beltran’s X-rays were negative, but he said the injury was painful, and he was unsure whether it would affect his plans to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Westbrook didn’t undergo X-rays. Westbrook faced six batters and allowed four hits, including an RBI triple by Giancarlo Stanton. Cardinals non-roster invitee Oscar Taveras hit a grand slam off Marlins starter Justin Turner.