ST. LOUIS - Rick Ankiel (an-KEEL') delivered a two-run
triple off Houston closer Brad Lidge that capped a three-run rally
in the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Astros
4-3.
Albert Pujols (POO'-hohlz) also drove in a run in the ninth with
a pinch-hit single. Last year's World Series winners won for only
the fourth time in 18 games, two days after St. Louis was
eliminated from postseason contention.
Kelvin Jimenez is 3-and-0 with the win. He got the last out in
the ninth after a two-run homer by Carlos Lee off closer Jason
Isringhausen had given Houston a brief 3-1 lead.
It was the eighth blown save for Lidge in 24 tries.