Ankiel hits homer in outfield debut

ST. LOUIS -- In spring training 2005, Rick Ankiel launched his new career as a 26-year-old minor league outfielder. In his first game back in the major leagues, he launched one out of the ballpark.

Ankiel’s three-run homer capped a storybook return, and Joel Pineiro worked seven scoreless innings in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night.

“Unbelievable,” said Ankiel, who played right field. “You almost can’t put that into words.”

Ankiel, who hit 32 homers for triple-A Memphis, hit a 2-and-1 curveball from Doug Brocail over the right-field wall in the seventh to put the Cardinals ahead, 5-0.

“I pitched the report,” Brocail said. “I have no idea how he hit that ball. It’s good to see the kid back, though.”

The drive merited a standing ovation and a curtain call for the once-troubled left-hander, who walked away from a pitching career in frustration more than two years ago.

“It’s a great story,” Padres Manager Bud Black said.