ST. LOUIS -- Jason Davis was slammed for eight runs, nine hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings of an 11-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals tonight at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis scored twice in the second, three more in each of the next two innings. In the third, Rick Ankiel crushed an 86-mph fastball -- about 3 mph slower than Davis' modest standard -- 406 feet into the center-field seats. In the fourth, hit after hit was followed by a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to Troy Glaus that prompted manager John Russell from the visitors' dugout.

It was 8-2, and even the 37,269 partisans on hand seemed bored by that point.

Romulo Sanchez pitched seamlessly through the sixth, but Craig Hansen gave up Jason LaRue's two-run home run in the seventh that put St. Louis ahead, 10-2.

Bright spots required some digging, but Ryan Doumit had his second three-hit output in as many nights, including a two-run home run -- his 13th -- that briefly tied the score at 2-2 in the third, and raised his average to .333.

"I'm feeling good up there, but it's not something you want to talk too much about it," Doumit said beforehand. "I'll just leave it there."

Also, Nyjer Morgan, subbing again for ill Nate McLouth, reached three times out of the leadoff spot with a double and two walks. Jason Michaels and Brandon Moss, back from a two-day absence to a sprained ankle, each had two hits.

The Cardinals salvaged a split of the two-game set.