Cardinals starter removed after 3 innings

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Brad Penny was taken out with a back strain, only minutes after hitting a grand slam.

Penny threw a few warmup tosses before the top of the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night, then catcher Yadier Molina signaled his concern to the dugout. After a brief meeting on the mound with manager Tony La Russa and a trainer, Penny left a game he was leading 9-4.

Penny allowed four runs on five hits in three innings with one strikeout and no walks.