Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright allowed just one run and three hits over six innings during a 5-1 Grapefruit League victory over Washington on Friday, his second consecutive impressive start since a fan helped him fix a mechanical flaw.
Wainwright, who was named the club's opening day starter earlier in the day, tallied two strikeouts and a walk.
In an interesting tale, the right-hander was leaving the stadium following a rough start against the Nationals on March 2 when a group of fans handed him picture. He noticed his stride had shortened this spring and he extended it six inches for his next outing.
In two starts since the change, he has allowed one earned run in 10 2/3 innings.
"It's made a huge deal," Wainwright said. "It gives my pitches more life. I've found that happy zone where I'm not extended too far where my ball flattens out but I'm a little bit closer to the plate now and I'm able to get on top of the ball so I'm getting better downhill plane."