Brian34Cook

Ludwick on a power trip
05/09/2008


May 6, 2008-- Ryan Ludwick follows the flight of an RBI-single.

DENVER — If Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick continues to swing like one of the top hitters in the National League, he just might get enough at-bats to rank with them.

Ludwick finished a power-packed series against Colorado with two home runs in Thursday's loss to the Rockies, and he elevated his slugging percentage to .758. That would be the best in baseball, except for a technicality. He doesn't have enough plate appearances to qualify.

"Oh, we're paying attention," manager Tony La Russa said of Ludwick's numbers and where they would rank. "He's definitely earning his playing time."

The Cardinals' left fielder had five hits in his first five at-bats of the series against the Rockies, and he finished nine for 13 with three doubles and three home runs. The feast of extra-base hits raised his batting average to .363 and his on-base percentage to .427. Of hitters with at least 75 plate appearances, Ludwick leads the majors with his slugging percentage and is third with his batting average. His on-base percentage lags a bit behind — at eighth in baseball.

He just won't appear among the league leaders. To qualify, a Cardinal must have at least 112 plate appearances. Ludwick has 103.

Colorado started three lefthanders for the final three games of the series, and Ludwick was the Cardinals' cleanup hitter and left fielder for all three games. La Russa, rarely one to anoint a player with a spot in the order, called Ludwick the team's No. 4 hitter against lefties, such as tonight's starter for Milwaukee, Manny Parra.

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