FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The spring training game between St. Louis and the Boston Red Sox on Monday was rained out with the Cardinals leading in the middle of the fifth inning.

With the game three outs shy of being official, rain started and the game was called after a 55-minute wait. There was standing water on the field when the decision was made not to continue.

Boston’s Rick Porcello gave up two runs and six hits in five innings.

Red Sox manager John Farrell and Cardinal manager Mike Matheny walked the field with two umpires before the decision was made not to resume. Farrell said there was some thought given to continuing the game.

“The amount of standing water, the projected time to squeegee it off and we were still running the risk of more rain coming,” hwe said. “It was in the best interest to call it when we did.””

Porcello, acquired from Detroit in December, said he probably would not have pitched another inning under any conditions.

“I think I hit my pitch count,” said Porcello, who threw 92 pitches, including strikes. “I feel strong. My sequences, the way I’m thinking on the mound is there. The consistency of the pitches isn’t again where I want it to be. “

Boston scored in the fifth when Ty Kelly and Matt Carpenter doubled.

STARTING TIME

Cardinals: Lance Lynn allowed one hit in four innings, struck out three and walked none. After Pablo Sandoval doubled leading off the second, Lynn retired the next three batters on two groundouts and a strikeout.

“He looked great,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “Got him in a tough spot there, man on third and one out, and I thought he even got better. Good sink, good life on the ball. I don’t necessarily need to see his competitive nature. We all know that. He’s always going to come with it. I just like watching how the ball’s coming out of his hand. It looks heavy. Got to see movement, depth to his sinker. See him throwing the breaking ball in tough counts. He’s feeling confident with it. He threw the changeup, the cutter. All of them looked right where they need to be right now.”

Red Sox: Porcello retired nine of his first 11 batters before giving up two singles in the fourth and three hits in the fifth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: DH Matt Holliday was hit on the side by a Porcello pitch in the fifth inning and left the game after taking first base.

Red Sox: DH David Ortiz, who has been sidelined several days with dehydration and what Farrell described as “flu-like” symptoms, could return to the lineup by Thursday, when the Red Sox play Minnesota. Farrell said Ortiz could get minor league at-bats before Thursday. Ortiz has 15 at-bats; Farrell isn’t concerned about Ortiz’ readiness for the April 6 opener. Ortiz likely will play some at first base during Boston’s first series.

“His spring trainings over 16, 17 years have been kind of all over the map in terms of number of at-bats accumulated,” Farrell said. “I do know that David is wanting to get back to regular at-bats by Thursday or later this week, just give him the final 10 days here in camp to get back in the flow of things to get him at first base in game situation so it prepares us for Philadelphia, but he’s making progress.”

1B Mike Napoli’s sore ankle is progressing and he should return to the lineup soon.

“He’ll be getting regular reps before the end of the week,” Farrell said.

NEXT

Cardinals: St. Louis plays Washington on Wednesday.

Red Sox: LHP Henry Owens is to start for the Red Sox against Miami in Jupiter, and RHP Tom Koehler for the Marlins.