amag
09-17-2002, 04:55 PM
After helping carry the team early in the season, CF Jim Edmonds hit a monthlong skid. The lefthanded-hitting Edmonds, whose natural stroke is to left center, has been pulling off the ball too much and swinging too hard. It also appears that he's not picking up the ball well out of the pitcher's hand, as evidenced by a lack of hard contact lately. Since the club lacks classic table-setters at the top of the order, Edmonds needs to get on consistently in the No. 3 hole so LF Albert Pujols and 3B Scott Rolen get RBI opportunities. Hitting coach Mitchell Page thinks Edmonds just needs a second wind. Page says that now that the stretch run is here, a refocused Edmonds will produce.