N.L. CENTRAL Womack filled huge gaps in Cards' lineup

He's hitting almost .300 and been strong in the field.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Late in spring training, Tony Womack was a no-risk pickup for the St. Louis Cardinals.
So far, he's been a steal.
Womack, seemingly on the downside of his career before this season, has filled huge holes at leadoff and second base for the NL's best team.
"All I wanted was a chance, because I knew I was ready to play," Womack said. "I just wanted an opportunity and they gave me that. I really appreciate it."
At the plate, the 34-year-old Womack is recapturing the success he had in his prime. Despite a 2-for-26 slump since the All-Star break, he is batting .299 with a slap stroke and a patient eye that has produced an on-base percentage of .351. That's a major improvement over last year, when he hit a career-worst .226 for the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Cubs.
On bases
He's also been a disruptive force on the base paths. Although Womack had only 14 steals, good for a tie for the team lead with Reggie Sanders, and only two since May 28, his huge leads and fast feet have helped distract pitchers facing the heart of the Cardinals' order. He's only been caught three times.
"That's what you look for at the top of the lineup, a guy that will spark the lineup," manager Tony La Russa said. "That's what he's done."
From 1997, his first full season in the majors, through 2000 Womack averaged 59 steals per season. He led the NL three times in that stretch.
Womack got off to a blazing start this season with three steals in the opener and seven by April 20. He said his modest count since is irrelevant, blaming the decline on pitchers' quicker moves to the plate.
He's been content lately to toy with the pitchers and wait for Edgar Renteria, Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen to deliver.
"It defeats the purpose, running into an out, when you've got these guys hitting behind you," Womack said. "My whole career, I pick and choose when I run, I don't just run to run.
"I've got to disrupt as much as I can, put some nervousness into them, and that's what I do."
Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny said Womack's lead off first base is one of the largest in the league, and that often is enough.
"You can see when he gets on that the infielders are all messed up," Matheny said. "He's got people on their toes and that often leads to holes being out there."
All he cost the Cardinals, who've never forgotten his clutch, series-clinching hit off Steve Kline for the Diamondbacks in the 2001 NL division series, was minor league pitcher Matt Duff in a March 20 deal with the Red Sox.
"Not really knowing what we were going to get, for him to come in and do what he's done has been a big plus," Matheny said. "He's hurt us before, so we knew what he can do, and it's nice to have him going for us now."