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Ankiel's heroics lead Cards past Cubs

Sun 6th, July 2008

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Rick Ankiel stroked a game-winning two-run single in the ninth and hit a solo home run in the sixth, as the St. Louis Cardinals got three runs in the ninth to beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-4, in the middle contest of a three game set at Busch Stadium.

Adam Kennedy was 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in the ninth and Albert Pujols was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for the Cardinals, who halted a two-game skid. The Cards three-run ninth made a winner of Kyle McClellan (1-3), who tossed two scoreless innings.

Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer and Mark DeRosa had a solo home run and tripled, scoring twice. Ryan Theriot added an RBI single for the Cubs, who have dropped two of three.

Kerry Wood (4-2) entered in the ninth and walked both Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina to start the inning. Kennedy then doubled down the right field line, scoring one before loading the bases with an intentional walk to Chris Duncan.

Skip Schumaker grounded into a force out at home and pinch-hitter Aaron Miles popped to short for the second out but Ankiel lined a two-run single to center for the game-winner.

Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse kept St. Louis in the game through seven frames, surrendering two runs on six hits and two walks while fanning six. Lohse extended his unbeaten streak to 11 games with the no-decision.

Cubs starter Ted Lilly pitched well, allowing two runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts through six frames. Lilly remained unbeaten in his last six starts with the no-decision.

Chicago got on the board first when DeRosa led off the third with a home run just over the wall in right-center. The Cubbies added a run in the fifth. DeRosa roped a triple to center and scampered home when Theriot flared a single to right for a 2-0 advantage.

St. Louis tied the game in the sixth. Ankiel led off the frame with a homer into the Cardinals' bullpen in right. Pujols followed with a ground-rule double on a deep drive to left-center and Ludwick tied it with an RBI double down the left field line. Molina put runners on the corners with a single but Lilly induced an inning-ending double play groundout from Kennedy.

Ryan Franklin came on for Lohse in the eighth, allowing a leadoff double to Derrek Lee. Ramirez followed by sending a 2-0 slider from Franklin just over the wall in left-center, making it a 4-2 game. Franklin then walked Jim Edmonds on five pitches before being replaced by McClellan.

Geovany Soto singled to put runners on the corners with nobody out. DeRosa sent a fly ball to right and Ludwick completed the double play by nailing a tagging Edmonds at the plate. McClellan completed his escape by getting pinch- hitter Daryle Ward on a pop-up to end the inning.

Game Notes

St. Louis took two of three from the Cubs earlier in the season, but Chicago has won nine of its last 14 at Busch...St. Louis took a 3-2 season series lead with the win...Chicago took 11 of 16 matchups from St. Louis last season...Molina extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single in the sixth...Sunday's scheduled starters are Sean Marshall (0-2) for the Cubs and Todd Wellemeyer (7-3) for the Cardinals...Ankiel's home run was his 18th of the season.

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