The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t counting on one single player to replace Albert Pujols.

And when four different players hit home runs off Yovani Gallardo, it certainly looks like a team-wide approach to making up for Pujols’ departure just might work for the defending champions.

David Freese hit a two-run drive and Yadier Molina, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday hit solo shots off Gallardo, helping the Cardinals spoil the Milwaukee Brewers’ opener with an 11-5 victory on Friday.

“That’s where we’re going to have to be able to overcome the loss of Albert, is finding ways to score runs, tack on runs,” Holliday said. “You get the big four-spot, but we kept scoring.”

Gallardo (0-1) struggled with his control from the start and lasted only 3 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and six runs with five walks and three strikeouts.

“I think he would tell you he probably didn’t have his best stuff today,” Holliday said. “We got his pitch count up and got him in some hitters’ counts. He’ll be good. I just don’t think he had a good day.”

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke gave Gallardo the opening-day start ahead of Zack Greinke, despite Gallardo’s career 1-7 record against the Cardinals with a 5.66 ERA coming into Friday’s game.

Holliday wasn’t sure why the Cardinals play so well against one of the two Brewers aces they’ll face in the series.

“I don’t know if that’s one of those things that you can really put a finger on,” Holliday said. “I don’t think there’s one particular thing. He’s a great pitcher, so I don’t see why it would be like that.”

Jaime Garcia (1-0) pitched six solid innings for St. Louis, yielding two runs — both in the first inning — and five hits.

“Our offense is unbelievable,” Garcia said. “The guys are doing an amazing job. So when you give up two runs and your offense comes back and scores four, you feel like you want to be there for your team.”

Ryan Braun was 0 for 5 and new Brewers cleanup hitter Aramis Ramirez was 0 for 4.

“Braun hit a couple balls hard, so you don’t discount that,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “He looks like his timing is pretty good. They’ve got guys that are going to hit the ball.”

The Cardinals are in Milwaukee for a three-game series after opening with a victory over the Marlins in Miami on Wednesday night, and so far they’re making the most of a somewhat disjointed start to the season.

“They kind of gave us an unfavorable schedule for a team that just won the World Series, but to get a couple wins already, it’s good,” Holliday said.

Brewers fans gave a rousing reception to Braun, both before the game and the first few times he stepped to the plate. It was a show of support for the NL MVP, whose potential 50-game suspension for a positive drug test was overturned by an arbitrator before spring training.

Braun said before the game he hoped to show fans he can handle the offseason controversy and return to his MVP form after struggling in spring training.

With the Cardinals trailing 2-0 after the first inning, Molina smashed a pitch into the right-field bullpen to start the second.

Things got worse from there.

Gallardo gave up back-to-back shots to Beltran and Holliday to start the third. Gallardo then walked Lance Berkman and gave up his third homer of the inning to Freese.

After walking Molina, Gallardo finally got three straight outs.

Roenicke lifted Gallardo after he allowed an RBI single to Freese that put the Cardinals up 6-2. Marco Estrada got the final out of the inning.

“They’re tough,” Gallardo said. “They have good hitters up and down their lineup. They do it all. They have everything — they hit for power and average. They take advantage of mistakes. The balls I left up in the zone today, they took advantage of.”

Milwaukee had runners on first and third with one out in the fifth, but Jonathan Lucroy was called for interference when he ran into Cardinals second baseman Daniel Descalso while Descalso was trying to field a grounder. Carlos Gomez flied out to end the inning.

Things started out well for the Brewers, who grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. But they didn’t score again until pinch hitter George Kottaras connected for a three-run homer in the ninth.

— Associated Press —

The sellout crowd in the Miami Marlins’ new ballpark cheered the introduction of their starters, who were accompanied by women dressed as Latin showgirls. There was another roar for Muhammad Ali, who delivered the first pitch.

Then Kyle Lohse and the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals went to work, and the place grew quiet.

Lohse held Miami hitless until the seventh inning and pitched into the eighth to help the Cardinals win the first game in Marlins Park, 4-1, on Wednesday night.

The Marlins’ new animated home-run sculpture never budged. It was the fourth inning before they even managed a baserunner, and by the time they scored in the eighth, they trailed 4-0.

“It’s a good ballpark for a pitcher, obviously,” Lohse said. “It’s pretty hard to get it out.”

New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was asked if the team’s new home is a pitcher’s park.

“For Lohse, yes,” Guillen said. “But it’s too early to say how the ballpark is going to play.”

The crowd of 36,601 included newly retired Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who quietly rooted for his former team from the press box.

He watched Lohse retire the first 10 batters before hitting Emilio Bonifacio with a pitch. The runner was erased when Hanley Ramirez grounded into a double play.

Newcomer Jose Reyes singled for Miami’s first hit to start the seventh, and Omar Infante scored the Marlins’ run in the eighth on John Buck’s double. Lohse went 7 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits and one run.

The right-hander led the Cardinals last year in victories and ERA but got the call for opening day only because ace Chris Carpenter is sidelined with nerve irritation that has caused weakness in his pitching shoulder.

David Freese, the World Series MVP, had a two-run single in the first inning to give Lohse the cushion he needed. Freese and Rafael Furcal each had three of the Cardinals’ 13 hits.

“Tonight was fun,” Freese said. “It’s always nice to get the season going and to open up here, beautiful ballpark, the fans were excited about it and so were we.”

Jason Motte earned the save with a one-hit ninth, completing the four-hitter and sending the Cardinals to the clubhouse to celebrate first-year manager Mike Matheny’s debut win.

“We gave him a little water shower,” Lohse said. “Most people go with the adult beverage but we went with the water.”

Things were so bad for Guillen’s team that Marlins ace Josh Johnson recorded the ballpark’s first strikeout — as a hitter.

Johnson allowed 10 hits and three runs in six innings. The 2010 NL ERA leader was pitching for the first time since last May 16, when shoulder inflammation ended his year.

Ramirez, making the switch to third base from shortstop, had an especially rough night. He drew scattered boos when he pulled up rather than dive for a grounder to his left, and he failed to throw out Furcal on a bunt that went for a hit. Ramirez also struck out with a runner aboard in the ninth to finish 0 for 4.

Both teams began the season with a new look. The Marlins, anticipating better attendance and higher revenue in their new home, acquired three All-Stars in an offseason spending spree. The Cardinals, coming off a thrilling late-season charge to the World Series title, lost slugger Albert Pujols to free agency and La Russa to retirement.

La Russa visited with Matheny before the game. Also on hand was baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who said his reaction to the ballpark was, “Wow.”

Among the eye-catching features is the colorful home-run sculpture beyond the center-field wall, but the Marlins failed to activate it, although Giancarlo Stanton did send two flies to the warning track.

The retractable roof, which is expected to be closed for all but about 10 games, was opened 30 minutes before the first pitch, revealing a nearly full moon on a 79-degree evening. Surprise guest Ali delivered the first pitch, which Ramirez gently took from the champ’s hand.

The first pitch from Johnson to Rafael Furcal caught the outside corner for a called strike. Furcal then grounded to new shortstop Reyes for the first out.

Cardinals newcomer Carlos Beltran followed with the first hit, a sharp single to right. He took third on a double by Lance Berkman, and Freese drove in both runs with a two-out single.

Furcal’s two-out RBI single in the second made it 3-0, and a 50-foot groundout by Daniel Descalso brought home an insurance run in the eighth.

— Associated Press —

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Thursday the signing of All-Star catcher Yadier Molina to a new five-year contract that extends from 2013 through the 2017 season.  The new pact also includes a mutual option for 2018.

Molina, 29, is a four-time (2008-11) Rawlings Gold Glove award recipient and a three-time (2009-11) National League All-Star.  He was also voted the recipient of the Rawlings Platinum Glove award in 2011, recognizing him as the top defensive player among all players in the National League.

Yadier posted a career-high .305 batting average last season, leading the team and ranking 8th in the National League.  He became the first catcher to pace the team in batting since Ted Simmons did so in 1973 and he was just the fifth Cardinals catcher to collect 30 or more doubles in a single season. Appearing in 139 games, Molina also had career-highs for home runs (14) and RBI (65) in 2011 and was a key contributor down the stretch for the Redbirds, batting .342 in August and .341 in September.

“Yadier possesses game-changing ability both in the field and at the plate,” said Cardinals’ Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak, who made the announcement at the team’s Spring Training headquarters in Jupiter, Fla.  “From his dramatic homer in the 2006 NLCS, to his handling of pitchers and controlling the opponent’s running game, Yadier has proven to be a special talent when it comes to the all-important challenges of the catcher position.  We look forward to having Yadier continue to serve as a cornerstone for our ballclub.”

Drafted by the Cardinals in 2000, Molina has established himself amongst the top all-around catchers in the game.  Molina leads all Major League catchers in both catcher’s stolen base pct. (39%) and pick-offs (38) since 2005, and he ranks among the National League’s top clutch-hitting catchers in that time span; posting a .297 (1st in N.L.) batting mark with runners in scoring position.

Molina’s career totals include a .274 batting average, 55 HR’s and 390 RBI in 944 games.  He ranks 4th all-time among Cardinals in games played at catcher (928), trailing only Ted Simmons (1,440), Del Rice (1,018) and Tim McCarver (960).

The right-handed hitting Molina ranks 4th on the Cardinals all-time list for World Series leaders in batting (.341) and he’s 2nd among franchise batting leaders in League Championship Series play with a .329 career mark.

Molina continued his postseason success during the Cardinals 2011 run to a World Series title, batting .299 with 12 RBI.  His 20 hits in the postseason were the most by a catcher since 2003 (Ivan Rodriguez, 21) and his 9 RBI in the World Series were the most by a catcher since 1997 when the Cleveland Indians Sandy Alomar, Jr. had 10.

— Cardinals Media Relations —

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Friday that they have agreed to terms with veteran pitcher Scott Linebrink on a minor league contract for the upcoming 2012 season.  The deal includes a non-roster invite to the Cardinals Major League Spring Training camp.

Linebrink, 35, appeared in 64 games for the Atlanta Braves last season, seeing his most work since the 2007 season.  The 6-3, 220-pound right-hander finished the 2011 season with a 4-4 won-loss mark and a 3.64 ERA, striking out 42 batters in his 54.1 innings pitched.

Linebrink had an excellent two-month stretch in June and July, going a combined 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA (22.1 IP/4 ER) during that time period before a lower back strain forced him to the disabled list from August 1-14.  He posted solid season totals when pitching with runners on base, limiting the opposition to a .235 BA, including a .182 mark with runners in scoring position and two outs.   He stranded 23 of 33 inherited runners, the 2nd best mark amongst Braves relievers in 2011.

Linebrink is a veteran of 10-plus seasons in the majors, debuting with the San Francisco Giants in 2000.  His career has also included stints with Houston (2000-03), San Diego (2003-07), Milwaukee (2007), Chicago White Sox (2008-10) and Atlanta (2011).  He brings a lifetime mark of 42-31, 3.51 ERA and 8 saves in 607 games into the 2012 campaign.

The Austin, Texas native currently stands fourth in career ERA (3.51) among active Major League pitchers who have made 600 or more career appearances, trailing only Mariano Rivera (2.21), Francisco Cordero (3.17) and Brian Fuentes (3.44).

— Cardinals Media Relations —

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms with outfielder Carlos Beltran pending a physical.  The parties have agreed to a two-year contract for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.  The 34-year-old free-agent has over 13 years of Major League service time with Kansas City, Houston, New York Mets and San Francisco.  The club expects to make a formal announcement shortly after the holidays.

“Beltran is a proven outfielder who obviously has been a tough opponent against the Cardinals for many years.” said Cardinals’ Senior Vice President John Mozeliak.  “It is going to be nice to have his bat and competitive nature working for us instead of on the other side of the field for the next couple of years.”

The switch hitter is a career .283 hitter with 302 home runs and 1146 RBI.  His 302 home runs rank 4th among switch hitters from his first full-season in the Majors (1999) to present.  The 6’ 1” outfielder has driven in over 100 RBIs in a season seven times, most recently in 2008 with the Mets.  Last season, Beltran split his year between the Mets and Giants, where he hit a combined .300 with 22 home runs in 142 games.

Beltran is a six-time National League All-Star (2004, ’05,’06, ’07, ’09, ’11) and a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner (2006, ’07, ’08).  He won the Louisville Silver Slugger Award in 2006 and 2007 with the Mets, seasons in which he had 41 homers and 116 RBI, and 33 homers with 112 RBI,  respectively.

Beltran has made appearances in the postseason twice, in 2004 with Houston and in 2006 with the Mets.  In both of those years, Beltran and his team faced the Cardinals in the League Championship Series, with the Cardinals advancing to the World Series each year.  In 2004, Beltran set numerous MLB postseason records including a record-tying eight home runs and a ML postseason record with a home run in five consecutive games (Game 5 of the NLDS through Game 4 of the NLCS).

— Cardinals Media Relations —

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed left-handed relief pitcher J.C. Romero to a one-year contract for the upcoming 2012 season.  The 35-year-old free-agent has 11-plus years of service in the majors with five Major League clubs.

“Romero is a proven lefty specialist, who has been a valuable bullpen piece for winning teams throughout his career” said Cardinals’ Senior Vice President John Mozeliak.  “We felt that it was important to maintain versatility and depth within our bullpen and we feel that J.C will be a solid addition.”

During his big-league career, Romero has compiled a 34-28 won-loss mark with seven saves in 664 games and a 4.07 ERA.  He leads Major League lefthanders in games pitched from 2002-2011 with 633, while his 517.0 innings pitched during that time span ranks 2nd among lefty relievers.  His .208 opp. BA (177-for-852) against left-handed batters is the lowest among all Major League lefties (min. 800 AB’s) since 2002, as are his 11 home runs allowed.

Two of Romero’s top seasons came in 2007 and 2008.  With Boston and Philadelphia in 2007 he pitched a combined 74 games, allowing just 12 ER over 56.1 IP (1.92 ERA).  In 2008 he pitched in a career high 81 games for the World Champion Phillies and surrendered just 18 runs over 59.0 IP for a 2.75 ERA.

Romero has made six career postseason appearances, three with the Minnesota Twins and three with Philadelphia, and he pitched for Puerto Rico in both the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

Romero ended the 2011 season with Colorado after beginning the year with Philadelphia.  He also saw action in the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees minor league systems last season.

— Cardinals Media Relations —

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to terms with free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal on a two-year deal for 2012 and 2013.  Furcal was acquired by the Cardinals on July 31 in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and helped key the Cardinals 2011 World Championship run.

“Rafael proved to be a great addition for us last season,” said Cardinals’ Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak.  “His leadership and experience was very evident during the pennant race and into the postseason,”

After joining the Cardinals at the trade deadline last season, Furcal turned an N.L.-high 36 double plays among shortstops and he was ranked 2nd in both total chances (238) and assists (155).  He batted .255 with 7 HR’s and 16 RBI for the Cardinals, hitting safely in 38 of his 50 games.

The switch-hitting Furcal owns a career batting mark of .282 with 108 home runs and 302 stolen bases.

Furcal, 34, is a veteran of 12-plus seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cardinals.  He was named to the National League All-Star team in 2010 when he batted .300 for the 3rd time in five seasons with the Dodgers.   The Dominican native was also named an N.L. All-Star in 2003 as member of the Braves.

Furcal has been considered to be one of the games’ top leadoff batters since breaking in with Atlanta in 2000 as the National League’s Rookie of the Year.  He has hit 29 career leadoff homers and ranks 2nd among the Dodgers’ all-time leaders in leadoff homers with 14.  Furcal owned the majors’ best on-base pct. (.370) among leadoff hitters in 2010.

Furcal has been to the postseason nine times in his career (five times with the Braves, three times with the Dodgers and once with St. Louis).

— Cardinals Media Relations —