Renteria Drops To No. 7 Spot, Looking For More RBIs
By JOE STRAUSS Post-Dispatch
April 13, 2003
HOUSTON - Edgar Renteria returned Saturday to the spot in the lineup that offered the setting for last season's Silver Slugger performance. Perhaps suggesting an approach where single runs are given more emphasis than breakout innings, manager Tony La Russa bumped Renteria from the No. 2 spot to No. 7.
In a lineup used for the first time, La Russa installed seldom-seen Wilson Delgado at second base and in Renteria's former offensive slot.
"I think this is how we'll look for awhile," La Russa said, referencing Renteria's shift to a more RBI-intensive spot in the order. "I think he likes it better there and it works for us."
Renteria entered Saturday night's game against the Houston Astros hitting .333 with one home run and six RBIs in a team-high 42 at-bats. Because of Renteria's ability to hit, La Russa had been less prone to order Renteria to sacrifice or take part in hit-and-run plays. That will change with Delgado or whomever else La Russa inserts into the spot.
"I like to play that way, I like to push it," La Russa said. "There have probably been some situations where I've thought about it but haven't pulled the trigger."
The Cardinals haven't been hurting for offense. They entered Saturday night leading the league with a .302 average. They were also averaging 6.33 runs per game, second in the league to Philadelphia's 6.4.
On Friday, with Miguel Cairo on first base and none out, La Russa chose not to have Renteria sacrifice with a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Renteria bounced into the first of four Cardinals double plays.
La Russa wasted little time unveiling a new look Saturday. After Orlando Palmeiro led off the game with a walk, La Russa ordered a hit-and-run on the second pitch to Delgado. The Cardinals had sacrificed only four times while stealing four of nine attempts in their first nine games.
Renteria hit mostly in the No. 7 spot while leading all NL shortstops in batting average (.305) and RBIs (83) last season. La Russa contemplated using him in the No. 3 hole during spring training but reconsidered when Renteria endured a choppy camp.
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