Miller strikes out 5 in 2 2-3 innings to help Cards beat Red Sox 8-6 in World Series rematch

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller throws during the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Joey Butler dives but cannot reach a triple by Boston Red Sox's Mike Carp during the sixth inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

JUPITER, Fla. – Shelby Miller gave up a leadoff home run in his spring training debut Wednesday, then retired eight in a row to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6.

The game was a relaxed rematch of last year's World Series, won by the Red Sox in six games.

Miller, who was held out of the World Series because the Cardinals didn't want to add to the rookie's season-long workload, gave up a homer to Daniel Nava on his second pitch. That was the lone baserunner allowed by Miller, who struck out five, four looking, and reached 95 mph on the radar gun.

Red Sox newcomer Chris Capuano, pitching his first game, went two innings and allowed two runs on a homer by Xavier Scruggs.

Xander Bogaerts homered for the Red Sox.