Ankiel's sixth-inning drive and Yadier Molina's two-run homer powered St. Louis over the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 Friday night as Tony La Russa passed Red Schoendienst as the winningest manager in Cardinals history.

St. Louis again closed within two games of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs, winning for the 13th time in its last 17 home games.

Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion was taken to a hospital after being struck on the left eye by a foul ball while waiting in the on-deck circle in the sixth inning. Encarnacion had been preparing to pinch hit when Aaron Miles fouled off an 0-1 pitch from Gary Majewski (0-2).

La Russa got his 1,042nd game in 12 seasons with the Cardinals. He is third on the career list with 2,362 overall, trailing only Connie Mack (3,776) and John McGraw (2,840).

Josh Hamilton hit his first career leadoff homer and Edwin Encarnacion hit an inside-the-park homer in the second for the Reds, who lost for only the third time in 11 games.

Ankiel, now 28, gave up on pitching in 2005 after bouts of wildness and injury. He has hit five homers since being recalled by the Cardinals on Aug. 9.

St. Louis trailed 4-3 when he drove a 1-1 pitch from Eddie Guardado into the seats in right-center with one out in the sixth.

Randy Flores (2-0) allowed one hit and a walk in two innings, striking out two. St. Louis' bullpen allowed only two hits in eight scoreless innings.