Ankiel Powers Cards Past Dodgers

In the Cardinals’ final visit to legendary Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, the Redbirds rode Rick Ankiel’s two home runs and four RBIs to their second straight win. Ankiel improved his batting average to .368.  The final go-ahead runs were actually scored on a wild pitch, but without the damage done by the Cardinal outfielder, the Dodgers win.

The Cardinals’ new shortstop Cesar Izturis went 1 for 3, improving his average to a whopping .125.  Looking not so Gold Glove like, he also committed his fifth error of the spring.  He now has more errors than hits.  Somehow, however, he’s still penciled in as the opening day starter, while the younger and cheaper Brendan Ryan is turning heads with his play but is still vying for a spot on the roster.  With just over two weeks until Opening Day, I’m anxious to see how this one plays out.

The final score today was 6-4 Cards.  View the full box score here.

Tomorrow should be a good one.  Adam Wainwright will take the mound for St. Louis, with Johan Santana slated to pitch for the Mets.  The game will be televised on SNY.

Finally, a couple of quick links.  If you’re apprehensive about the Cardinals’ new president, you’re not the only one.  Check out what Cardinals Diaspora has to say about it.  And the folks at Fungoes applaud GM John Mozeliak on the Lohse signing.  Find it here.