Apr/07/08 02:02 AM Filed in:
Brian Barton
ST. LOUIS -- With the
Cardinals riding a four-game winning streak and
another lefty on the mound for the Nationals,
right-handed-hitting outfielder Brian Barton was
in the leadoff spot for the third consecutive game
on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Barton, a Rule 5 Draft selection from
the Indians, got his first Major League start on Friday
and had two hits, including a double. On Saturday, the
left fielder had a triple among his three at-bats.
"It's just great having the opportunity to play,
whether I'm leading off, whether I'm starting, whether
I'm pinch-hitting, just for the coach to have
confidence in me to contribute -- it says a lot and I'm
thankful for it," Barton said before Sunday's series
finale at Busch Stadium. "But at the same time, I have
a job to do, and hopefully I continue to do that job so
I can stay here."
Barton, playing left field, entered Sunday batting .444
(4-for-9) with a double, a triple and a run scored.
"He's hit a couple shots and he's helped us win, so
we'll stay with it," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa
said.
The Cardinals are in the middle of a stretch of facing
four left-handed pitchers on consecutive days.
Washington threw Odalis Perez on Friday, Matt Chico on
Saturday and John Lannan on Sunday. For their home
opener on Monday night, the Astros are expected to
start Wandy Rodriguez.
Outfielder Skip Schumaker started the Cards' first
three games in left field and at the top of the lineup.
But the left-handed-hitting Schumaker, who batted .333
in 112 at-bats in 2007, is hitless in 13 at-bats this
season.
La Russa said before Sunday's game that Schumaker is
going to be the Cardinals' primary leadoff hitter.
Schumaker has been a sixth-inning defensive replacement
for Barton the last two games as well.
"I just see a bunch of right-handers coming up on our
road trip, so I'm not worried about him missing a start
here or there," La Russa said. "He's played both the
last games, so he's staying sharp."
(mlb.com)