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Ankiel rounding back into form for Cardinals

Aug 16, 2008 - 10:10 AM St. Louis (69-56) at Cincinnati (54-69) 7:10 p.m. EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Rick Ankiel is beginning to round back into form.

Ankiel and the St. Louis Cardinals go for their fourth straight win on Saturday when they face the Cincinnati Reds.

A pitcher turned outfielder, Ankiel did not start 14 games due to an abdominal pull from the end of July into August. Since returning to the starting lineup on Monday, though, the 29-year-old center fielder has picked up where he left off, logging hits in three of five games while scoring three runs, hitting his first home run since July 18 during the Cardinals' 5-3 victory on Friday.

Ankiel, who is batting .282 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI, tries to keep his surge going against struggling Reds ace Aaron Harang (3-12, 5.17 ERA).

Harang was pounded in his return to the mound on Sunday after missing more than a month with a strained right forearm. The 30-year-old righthander surrendered eight runs and nine hits in four innings, walking one while striking out three en route to a 13-4 loss to the Houston Astros.

Joel Pineiro (5-5, 4.82) goes for his third win in as many starts when he takes the mound for the Cardinals. Pineiro is 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three career starts against the Reds, including one win and a 1.50 ERA in two starts against them this season.