Making his second spring training appearance, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright received the loss during Thursday's game against the Marlins.
Wainwright started the game and threw 3 1/2 innings, but surrendered six hits for four runs. He struck out two batters and walked one. He also gave up a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton.
Despite his struggles during the game, Wainwright said he was encouraged with how the start ended, reports MLB.com.
"I was driving the ball for the first time all spring," Wainwright said. "It was the best I've felt all spring. I know it's not against hitters, but it translates for me... Those [extra pitches] were very productive. I went from being kind of frustrated by the way I pitched to when I left that cage thinking, 'I'm ready for next time."
Wainwright will make his final spring start in five days and said he'll treat as a regular-season game.
"There were plenty of times today where I probably would have normally thrown a cutter or a hook, and I threw a changeup or a fastball," Wainwright said. "In my next bullpen session, I'll put a little more into it. Then in a game, I'll go into it like a normal regular-season game."