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08/30/2004: Rick Ankiel Watch....
Rick started for the Memphis Redbirds against Oklahoma yesterday, and apparently he kicked ass and took names. Started out by pitching 15 straight strikes, and in six innings needed to throw only 53 pitches--44 strikes, and only 9 balls. Ankiel struck out 5, walked none, and gave up only one hit and one unearned run. According to The Cardinal Nation, "Overall 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."
Cardinal Nation is also reporting that the Cardinals are lobbying the Commissioner's office to extend Ankiel's rehab assignment by one day, reasoning that Ankiel lost out on a start at Palm Beach when Hurricane Charley went through the area, forcing the cancellation of a game. I've got a small, selfish interest in this one, since I have tickets for the Redbirds game on Friday, and if Ankiel is allowed one more day in the minors he's projected to be the Redbirds starting pitcher for that game. I'm keeping my fingers crossed myself....
Len on 08.30.04 @ 06:19 AM CST
