The St. Louis Cardinals scored 16 runs as they pounded out 22 hits on the way to a 16-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of their four game series Thursday afternoon at Busch Stadium.
The game was late getting started due to a 90 minute rain delay, and the rains returned with Pittsburgh batting in the 9 th inning. After waiting about a half hour after ordering the field covered the umpires called the game.
Rick Ankiel had the big bat for the Redbirds, with a pair of home runs – his 8 th and 9 th of the season – and a double to drive in 7 runs. David Eckstein, Aaron Miles, and Brendan Ryan each had 3 hits on the day, as well.
St. Louis starter Mike Maroth lasted only 1 2/3 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 6 hits. He wasn’t involved in the decision. Reliever Kelvin Jiminez (2-0) was perfect as he pitched 1/3 of an inning to earn the win. Pittsburgh starter Bryan Bullington (0-1) allowed 5 earned runs on 7 hits in 3 innings in his first outing of 2007 to take the loss.
The Cardinals (69-68) head to the desert to open a weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. In Friday night’s series opener Adam Wainwright (13-9) starts for the Redbirds against Brandon Webb (14-10) for the Snakes.