Taguchi fills in nicely for injured outfielders

ST. LOUIS -- In spring training, So Taguchi said he was ready to be a regular. Injuries to St. Louis Cardinals outfielders Larry Walker and Reggie Sanders have given him a chance to prove it.

The 36-year-old Japanese import matched his career high with four hits and three RBIs Tuesday, just the latest in a string of effective games for the stand-in starter who struggled to get the ball out of the infield when he first came to America in 2002.

"He's playing like an everyday player," said Sanders, sidelined since July 16 with a broken leg. "He's stepping up big. We all know he could have played every day with another ballclub."

How far has he come?

"How many miles to Tokyo?" general manager Walt Jocketty said. "This is what we had hoped for. The role he has here suits him well."

Taguchi was named the team's rookie of the year in 2004, which was a bit of a slap in the face considering the team signed him to a three-year, $3 million contract in 2002. He spent most of his first two seasons in the minors because of a weak bat, totaling 69 at-bats, before blossoming a bit last year as a defensive replacement who can play all three outfield positions and not hurt the team at the plate.

In 2004, he hit .291 in 179 at-bats. This year, given regular duty, he's off the charts.

The three-RBI game was the fifth this year and he was batting .424 (25-for-59) with runners in scoring position, and .331 in his 59 starts. During a career-best nine-game hitting streak, he was batting a robust .500 (16-for-32) to raise his overall average to .303 in 264 at-bats.

The Diamondbacks were impressed after Taguchi doubled three times and scored twice in an 8-2 victory Tuesday.

"It seemed like he drove balls, pulled balls and then he drove one the other way," Arizona pitcher Brad Halsey said. "He's definitely got a good approach up there that allows him to use the whole field."

Taguchi has batted second, third, sixth, seventh and eighth in the order. Wherever manager Tony La Russa has used him, he's produced.

"I think if we had pictures or video of his first spring training with us and the last couple of years, he's just using the whole field," La Russa said. "He's really a tough out right now and has been for a couple of years."

The difference from Taguchi's debut with the team to now is at least partly a matter of comfort.

Taguchi contends the extra playing time does not factor into his improvement.

"I'm always the same," he said. "If I start or I'm coming off the bench, I can't change anything. I'm always ready to hit, or ready to play defense."

Taguchi could get at least a few more weeks of regular duty. Walker is expected to return this week but the timetable for Sanders, who was cleared for light jogging on Tuesday, isn't until Sept. 1 at the earliest.