Gyorko proving invaluable to Cardinals

HOUSTON — Amid the unrelenting injuries the Cardinals have sustained over the last six weeks has emerged an irreplaceable bat and a stabilizing presence in the infield.

Once a player without a position, Jedd Gyorko has not only wiggled his way into everyday opportunities, he has left the Cardinals wondering where they would be without him. His three-run blast on Tuesday — which propelled the Cardinals to an 8-5 victory over the Astros — was just the latest in a growing list of key contributions by the utility infielder.

As manager Mike Matheny said after his team’s third straight win: “When he gets going, he’s amazing.”

Gyorko has been just that since the All-Star break, clubbing 11 home runs, including three in the team’s last four games. He’s jumped up to third place on the team with 18 home runs this season and has done so with fewer at-bats. His rate of 14.11 at-bats per home run is not only second on the club, it’s fifth among all National League hitters with at least 250 at-bats.

Over the first …

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