Ankiel hurt in loss

St. Louisan Ryan Howard hit a grand slam in the Phillies’ 6-1 win over the Cards Monday, but the biggest news to come out of the game was a scary play in the outfield that forced Rick Ankiel to leave on a stretcher.

Ankiel made a nice running catch on a Raul Ibanez flyball just before the warning track, stumbled and then went headfirst into the outfield wall. Ank’s cap was bent nearly all the way back from the blow, and he appeared at the very least to be dazed as he lay on the warning track as the Cards players and traning staff rushed to his aid.

Ankiel was moving his arms a bit and gave the crowd a “thumbs up” as he was carted off, so my guess is that he avoided a serious injury, but we should know more later tonight or tomorrow. I’d say it’s at least 50/50 that he lands on the DL.

Obviously the important thing is Rick’s health, but there are games still to be played, and the team is lucky they have Colby Rasmus ready to step in.

Although the stats aren’t anything to write home about, I really like what I’ve seen from Rasmus thus far. He is striking out a bit too much, which is to be expected, but he is also taking a lot of pitches and drawing walks (his OBP was a very good .365 coming into tonight). He hit his first homer in Saturday’s loss to the Nats and followed up with an opposite field single in his next at-bat. With good on-base skills and some power, Rasmus is an ideal fit in the two hole for Tony La Russa, who likes it when the hitter in front of Albert Pujols has some pop. Also, contrary to the belief of some, Rasmus would be an upgrade defensively in center.

As I said, I’m obviously hoping Ankiel is fine, but the team has a more than able-bodied young stud on hand in case the news on Rick isn’t good.

Tags: Albert Pujols, Colby Rasmus, Rick Ankiel, Tony La Russa