St. Louis Cardinals News

Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run home run in the 11th inning off Jason Johnson, a starter called into duty, to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. Ludwick’ 28th homer, his fifth in four games, allowed the Cardinals to recover after the bullpen blew a four-run ninth-inning lead for its major league-leading 27th blown save.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright threw 35 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday and will begin what he hopes is a short rehab stint later this week. Wainwright, the opening day starter, has been out nearly two months with a tendon injury in his right middle finger. He’ll pitch again Saturday for a minor league affiliate and could rejoin the rotation next week, although he conceded he was a…

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan underwent surgery Monday to correct a herniated disk in his neck and is facing an estimated recovery time of three to four months.

St. Louis Cardinals All-Star outfielder Ryan Ludwick was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday.

Kerry Wood could be back for the weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals . A key will be how Wood feels…

Shane Victorino’s three-run home run capped a four-run eighth inning against a vulnerable St. Louis Cardinals bullpen, and Brad Lidge survived a shaky ninth to stay perfect in save situations and preserve the Philadelphia Phillies’ 5-4 victory on Sunday night. Chase Utley added his 28th homer for the Phillies, who have gone deep in 12 straight games and finished a 5-1 trip that gave them a 32-26…

Rick Ankiel missed his eighth straight start with an abdominal strain Sunday night, and wasn’t sure when he’d be ready to return to the Cardinals lineup. Batting .281 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs, Ankiel has been limited to a pair of pinch-hit appearances since he was injured. He struck out to end the game with the tying run on second base in a 2-1 loss to the Phillies on Saturday night, and drew…

Joe Blanton won his first game since joining the Philadelphia Phillies in a mid-July trade, riding home runs from Ryan Howard and Greg Dobbs to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night. Dobbs, who leads the majors with 20 pinch hits, hit his fourth of the season on the first pitch of the third from Braden Looper (10-9).

The St. Louis Cardinals conceded the Matt Clement signing was a failed gamble on Saturday, releasing a right-hander who has struggled to return from shoulder surgery in 2006. The Cardinals also announced that outfielder Chris Duncan would undergo surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his neck on Monday, a procedure that is likely to end a star-crossed season.

Minor league baseball’s reputation for good, clean family entertainment might require a stronger rating. The sport has taken a hit over a bench-clearing brawl in which a player has been charged with assaulting a fan. And the trouble doesn’t end there. The Midwest League suspended and fined 15 players and both managers Friday for the July 24 fight between the Single-A Dayton Dragons and Peoria…