Ankiel's first grand slam lifts Cards

Rick Ankiel hit a go-ahead grand slam, adding another chapter to the former pitcher's comeback as a power-hitting outfielder.

Ankiel's sixth-inning drive and Yadier Molina's 2-run homer powered St. Louis over the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 Friday night in St. Louis as Tony La Russa passed Red Schoendienst as the winningest manager in Cardinals history.

St. Louis again closed within 2 games of the NL Central-leading Cubs, winning for the 13th time in its last 17 home games.

Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion was taken to a hospital after being struck on the left eye by a foul ball while waiting in the on-deck circle in the sixth inning. Encarnacion had been preparing to pinch hit when Aaron Miles fouled off an 0-1 pitch from Gary Majewski (0-2).

Ankiel, now 28, gave up on pitching in 2005 after bouts of wildness and injury. He has hit 5 homers since being recalled by the Cardinals on Aug. 9.

St. Louis trailed 4-3 when he drove a 1-1 pitch from Eddie Guardado into the seats in right-center with one out in the sixth.

Brewers 3, Pirates 2: Yovani Gallardo pitched 7 sharp innings and hit his second homer of the season, helping host Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh to inch closer in the NL Central race.

Mets 7, Braves 1: Carlos Delgado hit a 3-run homer and John Maine (14-8) gave up only 3 hits, leading visiting New York to a win over Atlanta. The Mets' losing streak ended at five games.

Phillies 9, Marlins 2: Kyle Kendrick (8-3) took a fastball off his right arm trying to bunt in the second inning, but he still pitched 7 innings and help visiting Philadelphia extend its winning streak to a season-best six games.

Kendrick shouted angrily after being hit by a 1-0 pitch from Sergio Mitre and was still rubbing his arm standing on second base later in the inning. But he scored and stayed in the game.

Giants 3, Nationals 2: Kevin Correia (3-6) had his longest outing as a starter in more than two years, and Rajai Davis' broken-bat double capped a 3-run second inning for visiting San Francisco.

American League

Orioles 9, Red Sox 8: Nick Markakis hit a 3-run homer and visiting Baltimore broke a nine-game losing streak, while the Red Sox lost starter Tim Wakefield even before the game began.

Wakefield, tied for the major-league lead with 16 wins, was scratched from his start with a sore lower back and replaced by Julian Tavarez.

Blue Jays 7, Mariners 5: The slumping Mariners lost their seventh straight game as Troy Glaus hit a 2-run homer and Lyle Overbay and Alex Rios also went deep for host Toronto.

Devil Rays 9, Yankees 1: Visiting Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena homered twice and Andy Sonnanstine pitched 8 innings of 2-hit ball, stopping the Yankees' winning streak at three games.