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Ankiel, Cardinals seek another strong offensive showing

Jul 12, 2008 - 10:07 AM St. Louis (52-42) at PIttsburgh (43-49) 7:05 pm. EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals seek to build on their best offensive showing in more than a week on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Rick Ankiel homered and drove in three runs as the Cardinals snapped a two-game skid with a 6-0 victory on Friday. Prior to that, St. Louis had been outscored, 32-13, while dropping five of its last seven games.

While the Cardinals have struggled, it hasn't been Ankiel's fault. The former pitcher is hitting 391 (9-for-23) with three homers and seven RBI in his last six games. Ankiel will try and keep up his torrid pace against rookie righthander Yoslan Herrera (NR), who was called up from Class AA Altoona of the Eastern League on Friday.

The 27-year-old went 5-8 with a 3.11 ERA in 17 starts with the Curve. Herrera is making a spot start for Phil Dumatrait, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with bursitis in his left shoulder.

St. Louis counters with Todd Wellemeyer (7-4, 3.94 ERA), who is looking to avoid a fourth straight loss. Wellemeyer has been dealing with elbow soreness, and is 0-3 with a 8.35 ERA in his last four starts.