Ankiel might be bound for St. Louis

Rick Ankiel's long journey back to the majors may be nearing its completion. Ankiel gave up one unearned run and one hit in six innings Sunday for Triple-A Memphis in what could be his final start in the minors.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has said the team would consider calling Ankiel up to the majors when rosters expand for September.

Ankiel hasn't thrown a pitch in the major leagues since May 2001, when he was demoted after a shaky start to the season, but his decline started seven months earlier with nine wild pitches over a span of two innings in the National League Division Series.

After being sent down in 2001, walked six and threw four wild pitches in three innings against Oklahoma in his first minor league start. He eventually wound up with the Cardinals' rookie-level team in Johnson City, Tenn.

Ankiel then missed the entire 2002 season with an elbow sprain. He returned last year to go 2-6 with a 6.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee, but his season ended in July when a torn ligament in his left elbow required reconstructive surgery.

Ankiel, who turned 25 last month, started his comeback this season with the Cardinals' Class A affiliate in Palm Beach, Fla. He made a stop in Double-A Tennessee before joining Memphis prior to Sunday's game.

His brief comeback tour has been a success so far. In seven starts at three different minor league levels, Ankiel is 2-1 with a 0.79 ERA, 23 strikeouts, two walks and one hit batsman in 22 2-3 innings. He hasn't thrown a wild pitch.

On Sunday, he began the game with 15 straight strikes and threw only 53 pitches -- 44 strikes -- in six efficient innings. He allowed only one hit -- a bunt single by Santiago Perez.

-- AP