Jon Jay 'finds ways to get things done'

DENVER • Cardinals center field Jon Jay has at least one plate appearance this season at every spot in the order except for cleanup, and with teammate Allen Craig out with a foot injury the former leadoff hitter has been recast as the No. 2 hitter.

With it, the Cardinals’ lineup has a different look.

Jay, who spent much of 2012 as the team’s leadoff hitter, has hit .267 with a .343 on-base percentage this season in the No. 2 spot. Monday was his 31st start there.

Carlos Beltran has been the regular in the No. 2 spot ahead of Holliday, but with Craig not available the switch-hitting Beltran is batting fourth.

“Jay finds ways to get things done,” manager Mike Matheny said. “I think (Beltran) was confused a little bit about what his role was — am I supposed to be a table-setter? The way I pictured it when you’re in the lineup, when you’re in that second batting position, I look at it as we have two three-hole hitters. That’s the way I want (Beltran) going about his at-bats there.

"With Jon Jay it’s a little different. He realizes he’s going to go in and do the little things right. He’s very good about getting runners over. He’s got a good idea when to put the bunt down and try to get something going.”


(stltoday.com)