St. Louis Has Better Brother

ST. LOUIS —  This sibling rivalry was no contest.

Andy Benes came within one out of a shutout and contributed to younger brother Alan’s early exit with two hits and a run batted in during an 11-run third inning as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs, 11-2, Friday night at St. Louis.

“We were hoping for a 1-0 game,” Andy Benes said. “I’ll tell you what, the third inning just killed me watching it and I had to kind of regroup.”

“He’s my younger brother and I’m his second-biggest fan behind his wife and it’s gut-wrenching.”

The Benes vs. Benes matchup was believed to be only the seventh time in major league history that brothers have faced each other. It was the first time since Ramon Martinez beat younger brother Pedro Martinez on Aug. 29, 1996.

Charles Benes watched his sons from a box seat midway between the two dugouts, alternately wearing a Cubs and Cardinals cap.

Earlier this season, the Benes brothers opposed each other in a minor league game while both were on the comeback trail.

“I’d probably rather come to the game and not talk about facing my brother,” Alan Benes (1-1) said. “I’ve never been one to love the media attention.”

The National League Central-leading Cardinals won their third consecutive.

Albert Pujols had four RBIs in the Cardinals’ big inning with a two-run single and a two-run double. But he was taken out with a spasm in his upper left shoulder after he limped to second on his double. Pujols said he felt the spasm down to his thighs and didn’t know whether he’d be able to play today.

Cardinal outfielder J.D. Drew also left early was removed in the top of the second with tightness in his left quadriceps. Drew was due for a day off today with the Cardinals facing a left-hander.

Andy Benes (5-4) continued his strong second-half comeback by pitching an eight-hitter. Alex Gonzalez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth.

In the third, Andy even had a little fun at his brother’s expense. After gloving Alan’s soft liner to the mound, Andy let the ball dribble out of his mitt so his brother would have to run it out before finishing him off with an underhand toss to first.