Ankiel’s Two Homers Not Enough

In a battle of the bats at a rain soaked Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers came out ahead after a lengthy delay to even the series.  The Cardinal offense was potent, but their pitching left a lot to be desired.

The Cards took an early lead on a lead off home run by Skip Schumaker, and another solo shot from Rick Ankiel.  Ankiel added a second bomb in the fifth.  He now has fourteen.  Seven runs were not enough, as the Tiger’s attack was even better. They out hit the Cardinals 19-10, and came out on top after a walk-off RBI in the ninth.

Even though Cardinal starter Kyle Lohse got knocked around for 5 runs on 11 hits in 4 innings, it was the bullpen that couldn’t hold leads late in the game.  After Chris Perez threw a pair of shutout innings, Jason Isringhausen, Randy Flores, and Kyle McClellan each allowed a run.  8-7 was the final.  Here’s the complete box score.

The Cards will try to take the series this afternoon with Todd Wellemeyer on the mound.  Nate Robertson gets the start for Detroit.

Albert Pujols should be in the lineup today.  Rick Hummel reports that he’ll come off the DL today and be thrown right back into the action.  No word yet on who gets moved to make room for Pujols.  Here’s the full story.