Ankiel Watch

Ankiel finally got the best of a major league pitcher. Last Thursday he lined a pinch-hit double off Washington's Jon Rauch (who was 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 2004 for the White Sox and the Expos), his first hit in seven Grapefruit League at bats. The next day Ankiel smacked a three-run homer and drove in four runs for the Cards' Double A affiliate--probably one rung above where he'll start the season. "Whether it's defense, baserunning or hitting, [Class A] is where he's rated right now," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.