Ankiel just keeps getting it done

ST. LOUIS -- Rick Ankiel had another big day, raising his average to .354. No one would believe he used to be a pitcher.

Ankiel drove in 3 runs a day after hitting his first career grand slam, and Yadier Molina had 3 RBI and homered for the second straight game in the St. Louis Cardinals' 11-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.

"He's just getting hits and he's having good at-bats, whatever the numbers are," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's competing beautifully and if he keeps doing that, everything takes care of itself."

Jim Edmonds gave the Cardinals a trio of 3-RBI players, and his 2-run double off rookie Phil Dumatrait (0-3) was the go-ahead hit in a 4-run fifth that put the Cardinals ahead 5-2.

The defending World Series champions climbed back to .500 for the second time this week and also the second time since April 16.

"The trick is to not go back down now," starter Adam Wainwright said. "Now we just need to ride this and hopefully get some momentum and just keep it going."

The resilient Cardinals, who lost outfielder Juan Encarnacion (eye) and Scott Rolen (shoulder) for the season Friday, remained 2 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. They've taken the first two games of a three-game series against the Reds, who entered the series on an 8-2 tear.

David Ross, Adam Dunn and Scott Hatteberg drove in a run for Cincinnati, which committed 2 errors that contributed to 3 unearned runs.