Kiesler called up; Ryan sent down

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals added pitching help in the midst of playing seven games in six days on Friday, recalling left-hander Randy Keisler from Class AAA Memphis.

Keisler began his second stint with the team after compiling a 5.65 ERA with no record in three April starts. He's 8-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 18 appearances, all but one of them starts, at Memphis, but will be used as the team's second bullpen left-hander.

The Cardinals began a four-game, three-day series with NL Central-leading Milwaukee on Friday night, with a day-night double-header scheduled for today.

"We're playing four games in less than 48 hours," La Russa said. "He'll be available wherever we need him."

Rookie infielder Brendan Ryan, 25, was optioned to Memphis. Ryan, who is batting .339 with two home runs and five RBIs in 62 at-bats covering 25 games over two stints, could be the team's shortstop next year if David Eckstein leaves as a free agent.

-- AP