Ankiel, Molina lift Cardinals over Reds

ST. LOUIS -- Rick Ankiel drove in three runs a day after hitting his first grand slam, and Yadier Molina had three runs batted in and homered for the second consecutive game in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 11-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.

Jim Edmonds gave the Cardinals a trio of three-RBI players, and his two-run double against rookie Phil Dumatrait (0-3) was the go-ahead hit in a four-run fifth inning that put the Cardinals ahead, 5-2.

The defending World Series champions climbed back to .500 for the second time this week and also the second time since April 16. They remained two games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.

Ankiel is 13 for 27 (.481) during a seven-game hitting streak and batting .354 overall with five homers and 17 RBIs in only 65 at-bats.