After seeing his average sink to .241, center fielder Rick Ankiel is back on point. He finished up an 8-for-13 series against the Cincinnati Reds with three singles and two RBIs Wednesday.
"As of late, I feel I've been getting better pitches to hit -- for whatever reason," said Ankiel, who was moved to No. 2 in the order ahead of first baseman Albert Pujols until he got himself squared away. Manager Tony La Russa said, "(Ankiel) really wasn't getting beat at the plate. He was just getting the ball into the air too much."
Right-hander Braden Looper became the first Cardinals starter to have four or more wins in April since Chris Carpenter three years ago. He labored through 114 pitches but gave up just two runs in six innings, including only his second homer.
"I didn't have my best stuff, but I was able to pitch with what I had. They kept fouling my good pitches off," said Looper.
CARDINALS 5, REDS 2: The Cardinals finished April having lost just one of the 10 series they played by taking the rubber game of a three-game set with Cincinnati. Right-hander Braden Looper won for the fourth time in five decisions as the Cardinals bunched four consecutive hits for two runs in the third inning. The second run -- the game-winner -- was knocked in by center fielder Rick Ankiel.
