Ankiel's 2-run home run powers Cardinals

LOS ANGELES – Rick Ankiel put St. Louis ahead with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, and Chris Carpenter allowed five hits over eight innings in the St. Louis Cardinals’ ninth victory in 10 games – a 3-2 victory over Los Angeles in the National League on Monday.

Albert Pujols hit his major league-leading 39th homer as the Cardinals opened a seven-game California trip.

Carpenter (13-3) fell behind twice, but Pujols and Ankiel connected to ensure his fifth consecutive victory. He is 8-0 in nine starts since July began, and 5-0 in six career starts against the Dodgers.

James Loney had an RBI single in the fifth for the Dodgers, who opened a tough seven-game homestand with their fourth loss in five games.

Ankiel homered after knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (0-1) hit Ryan Ludwick with a pitch. Ankiel was in a 1-for-17 slump before his ninth homer of the season.

At San Diego, rookie Kyle Blanks hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of ninth as San Diego downed Chicago, 4-1.

The Cubs were one strike away from securing a 1-0 win when Chase Headley doubled off Kevin Gregg (4-5) to score David Eckstein, who walked with one out, from first base.

Kevin Kouzmanoff was intentionally walked and Blanks hit his seventh homer.    (AP)