Jim Edmonds and Eduardo Perez each hit home runs last night to propel the Cardinals over the Dodgers 4-2 in Los Angeles. Edmonds went deep in the first inning to give the Birds a 2-0 lead. It was his 18th round-tripper of the season. Eduardo Perez’s sixth inning blast was his sixth homer this year. Meanwhile, Travis Smith improved to 3-0, allowing two runs over seven innings. With the win, St. Louis improved to 11 games over .500 for the second time in 2002. They held on to their three and a half game lead over the Reds in the N.L. Central. Cincinnati blanked Milwaukee 2-0….The Cardinals don’t expect Rick Ankiel to pitch again this season, but they haven’t completely ruled out the possibility. Yesterday the team said it would be at least eight weeks before the 22-year old could re-take the mound. He’s been bothered by elbow problems this season.
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