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Ankiel, Cardinals face division-leading Diamondbacks

Sep 8, 2007 - 1:24 PM St Louis (69-69) at Arizona (79-63) 4:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Rick Ankiel's comeback has gone from a great story to being a distraction to a team in a pennant race.

Ankiel and the St. Louis Cardinals continue their three-game series with the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Ankiel, who received human growth hormone in 2004, addressed the media before Friday's 4-2 series opening loss.

"I'm just disappointed," he said. "I just don't want it to become a bigger distraction that it already has become. We're in the middle of a pennant race. I just want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest level I can."

The defending world champion Cardinals are one game back of Chicago (71-69) and Milwaukee (71-69) in the NL central. Ankiel has been a big contributor, hitting .353 with nine home runs and 29 RBI since being called up from Class AAA Louisville on August 9.

Another key contributor is Braden Looper (12-10, 4.45), who is looking for his third straight win. Looper has thrown 14 straight scoreless innings and has allowed three runs or less in each of last five starts.

Arizona, which leads San Diego by two games in the NL West, counters with rookie Micah Owings (6-8, 4.75 ERA). Owings, who winless in his last three starts, allowed five runs on four home runs in three innings of a 10-2 loss to San Diego on Monday.