ST. LOUIS (AP) – St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright is taking the blame for the flap that ensued after he said he served up pitches to Derek Jeter during the All-Star game. The 12-game winner spent part of Friday explaining his comments after the retiring Yankees shortstop doubled off him in the first inning Tuesday.  Wainwright said he made a poor choice of words and accepted responsibility for the resulting furor he says was fueled by the “Twitter-verse.”

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny thought Wainwright might be more guarded in the future, but the right-hander says he doesn’t plan on changing. Wainwright is getting extra time off after the break, and is skipping the Dodgers’ series this weekend. He is likely to pitch Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

He entered Friday second in the National League with 138 innings, first with a 1.83 ERA, and tied for the lead in wins.