ST. LOUIS, June 14 (UPI) -- Matt Morris returned to his dominating form at home Friday night as the St. Louis Cardinals blanked the Kansas City Royals, 3-0.
Morris (9-4) allowed Carlos Febles' one-out single in the first inning and Raul Ibanez's leadoff base hit in the second. But he set down 21 of the final 23 hitters before Dave Veres and Steve Kline worked the ninth.
After Ibanez's hit, Morris retired 10 straight batters before issuing a walk to Brent Mayne in the fifth. He retired nine more before pinch hitter Donzell McDonald walked with one out in the eighth.
After winning nine consecutive and 17 of 18 home decisions, Morris had dropped his last two outings in St. Louis.
Eli Marrero's solo homer, his fifth of the season, staked Morris and the Cardinals to a 1-0 lead with one out in the second inning.
Morris also had an RBI single in the fourth and earned his 50th career victory.
