From No Luck To Bad Luck
By Joe Strauss Of The Post-Dispatch
May 31, 2004
No Cardinals hitter has endured a more frustrating two months than shortstop Edgar Renteria. The two-time Silver Slugger winner is hitting .264 with three home runs and 20 RBIs while battling lower back stiffness one year after batting .330 with 13 home runs and 100 RBIs. The Astros did him no favors as Renteria concluded a one-for-12 weekend with an 0-for-three game.
Making it even worse, Renteria's careerlong frustration against Astros starter Wade Miller was extended in Saturday's second inning when Craig Biggio made a sprawling catch against him.
Renteria left the game still hitless in 21 lifetime at-bats against Miller.
"It's amazing because Edgar is so consistent, especially against top guys," La Russa said. "I don't think he picks it up against (Miller) that well, but that one kind of defies explanation."
Renteria, who walked 65 times in 2003, didn't accept his first walk of May until Saturday's eighth inning. He took another in Sunday's seventh. If patience is a virtue, it wasn't rewarded in Sunday's fifth inning as he lost another hit on Everett's diving backhand against his line drive. Renteria, who rarely shows emotion on the field, stood several feet up the baseline staring at the spot of Everett's catch.
"I feel good right now," said Renteria, who had hit in 14 of 18 games before Sunday. "Right now I have no luck."
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