Wilson homers in first game with Cardinals

After being released by the Houston Astros earlier this week for a lack of power numbers, Preston Wilson signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday and paid instant dividends.

Wilson, who barely made his morning flight to Chicago, homered as the Cardinals defeated the Cubs 11-3.

Wilson batted .269 with nine home runs and 55 RBIs with the Astros. The Cardinals hope to improve their lineup against left-handed pitching.

“This was a pretty nice opportunity for us,” assistant general manager John Mozeliak said. “He gives us some stability, too, because he can play all three outfield positions.”

St. Louis was 17-28 against left-handers entering the weekend. Wilson has hit .312 against lefties this year.

Umpire injured

Plate umpire Jerry Layne avoided serious injury when the barrel of a shattered bat hit him in the side of the head and left him briefly unconscious.

Layne was taken off the field on a stretcher loaded onto a cart while the game between Atlanta and Florida was delayed for 13 minutes.

Layne suffered a bruised jaw, but X-rays were negative, and he was on his feet in the umpire locker room after the game.

Layne planned to work today’s game, fellow ump Marvin Hudson said.

The injury occurred in the eighth inning when Hanley Ramirez broke his bat grounding out to second base. The bat hit Layne in the left side of the head, and he staggered several steps before falling to the grass behind home plate.

Red Sox welcome back closer

Boston activated former closer Keith Foulke from the 15-day disabled list between games of its doubleheader against the New York Yankees, its second reinforcement of the day.

Before the opener, the Red Sox added Eric Hinske to the roster. Hinske, the 2002 American Rookie of the Year who was acquired on Thursday from Toronto, had three doubles in the 12-4 opening-game loss to the Yankees.