Cardinals Rout Cubs

A grand slam, a bunch of runs, some pitches so tight they could have left marks and a bench-clearing fracas.

Just another day in the old, heated rivalry between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs.

“I don’t really know why it happens,” said Jim Edmonds, who homered twice Wednesday in the Cardinals’ 12-4 victory. “Obviously, something’s going to happen, whether it’s just exciting baseball or a little bit of words back and forth.”

This time, it was both. Edgar Renteria hit a grand slam, Edmonds drove in four runs, the Cardinals spoiled Mark Prior’s second outing of the year and some words were exchanged when Matt Morris buzzed a pitch at Derrek Lee’s head.

Both benches cleared in the fifth inning, but no punches were thrown and no one was ejected.

Prior lasted 3 2/3 innings and matched his career high with five walks. He gave up five runs and five hits.