After hitting .080, 2-25, in his first nine games Ryan has hits in three consecutive games. Two of those three games were multi-hit games. Though his average is still sub-par Ryan looks far more comfortable in the batter’s box these days.

The Los Angeles native has been taking extra BP sessions, working closely with Mark McGwire in an attempt to re-find his stroke that saw him hit .292 a season ago.

St. Louis hopes that he has, because no matter how good he is defensively it is near impossible to justify playing someone every day who can’t hit .150, especially with the pitcher’s spot also being a factor.