ST. LOUIS - Rick Ankiel homered for the first time in 17 games in leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the Houston Astros 7-4. Albert Pujols delivered a key pinch-hit and drove in two. He has 98 RBIs in his quest to become the only player to reach 100 RBIs in each of his first seven seasons.
Ankiel got three hits, including his 10th home run. He had been
in a 7-for-55 slump.
Fill-in starter Brad Thompson threw six sharp innings and
improved to 7-and-6. Jason Isringhausen got his 30th save.
The Cardinals broke it open with five runs in the seventh.