Indians Can’t Solve Ankiel, but Still Find a Way to Win

The Cleveland Indians made contact when it counted.

Cleveland hitters struck out a team-record 16 times, but the Indians used Sandy Alomar Jr.’s tiebreaking single in the eighth inning Sunday to beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-2.

Rick Ankiel matched his career high with 11 strikeouts in only five innings.

“He was throwing cheese, and he had a nasty breaking ball too,” said Alomar, who struck out twice against Ankiel.

Matt Morris (0-1) fanned four in three innings and Dave Veres struck out one in the ninth.

But the Indians got to Morris, making only his second appearance of the season, with two outs in the eighth when Travis Fryman walked, David Justice doubled on a 3-and-0 pitch and Alomar singled off the glove of third baseman Craig Paquette.

“I was just trying to hit the ball,” Alomar said. “I felt like I had a hole in my bat.”

Justice also tried to score when the ball rolled into the outfield but was thrown out at the plate on a close play when catcher Mike Matheny blocked the plate.

The Indians struck out 15 times at Seattle on Aug. 23, 1999, their previous high.

Tom Martin (1-0) got the last out in the seventh, Steve Reed worked the eighth and Steve Karsay finished for his 12th save in 14 chances as the Indians took two of three in the interleague series.

The 20-year-old Ankiel, who walked none, also had 11 strikeouts May 25 against Florida. He has 46 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.

“I think my results were a little better than the way I pitched,” Ankiel said.

“I missed a bunch of spots.”

He was unimpressed with his strikeout total.

“That just goes to show you that strikeouts don’t matter,” he said.

Jim Edmonds hit his 17th home run and Eric Davis had an RBI single for the Cardinals. Richie Sexson and Kenny Lofton homered for the Indians.

Mark McGwire had a quiet game, getting hit by a pitch in the first and walking twice, once intentionally. He also struck out twice.