Edmonds powers Cardinals past Washington

Jim Edmonds smacked a three-run home run in the first inning, as St. Louis defeated Washington, 6-2, in the opener of a four-game set at Busch Stadium. Scott Spiezio went 2-for-3 with a two-run double and Sidney Ponson (3-0) continued his impressive start for the Cardinals by winning his third consecutive outing. Ponson gave up two runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings, while striking out four and walking two. St. Louis has won four straight and seven of its last eight games. Brian Schneider knocked in both runs for the Nationals, who have now lost five in a row. Mike O` Connor (0-1) made a respectable showing in his major league debut, lasting five innings while giving up three runs, all of which were unearned. The Cardinals jumped out to a three-run lead in the first behind Edmonds` blast. David Eckstein led off the inning with a walk, but Hector Luna and Albert Pujols both followed with fly outs. Juan Encarnacion, however, reached base on a throwing by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Edmonds followed with his fourth home run of the year. Washington scored twice in the seventh inning to make it a one-run game. Nick Johnson led off the inning with a double to right field and, two outs later, Zimmerman walked. Schneider stepped to the plate and hit a double into the right-field corner, scoring both runners. Brad Thompson then came in to replace Ponson, but was greeted by Royce Clayton`s infield single to move the tying run to third base. Thompson, though, managed to get pinch-hitter Marlon Byrd to ground into a force out to end the Washington threat. Spiezio then answered with a two-run double of his own in the home half of the seventh and pinch-hitter Aaron Miles knocked in a run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly to preserve the victory. Game Notes Before the game, the Nationals purchased O`Connor`s contract from Triple-A New Orleans. The club optioned infielder Brendan Harris to New Orleans to make room for O`Connor on the 25-man roster and designated outfielder Tyrell Godwin for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster...St. Louis has won seven of the last nine meetings...The Cardinals are 10-3 at home this season.