Ankiel K’s 11, Beats Marlins

Rick Ankiel bounced back from his worst start of the season, and the Cardinals have a season high five game winning streak after beating the Marlins 7-6 to complete a sweep of the series. After getting knocked around for seven runs in 2 and 2/3 innings last week against Pittsburgh, Ankiel didn’t walk a batter this afternoon and struck out a career high 11. He allowed four runs in 6 and 2/3 innings. Jim Edmonds hit a three run homer, his 15th, and Craig Paquette homered and drove in three runs. The Cards raced to a 7-1 lead before holding on at the end. Dave Veres pitched two innings for his ninth save. The Cardinals have won five straight, and open a three game series with the Mets tonight. Pat Hentgen will face Mets ace Mike Hampton. After a horrible start to the year, Hampton is 5-4, and has won his last three starts with an ERA of 0.39.