Bourn misses 4th straight start

4/25/2008 5:40 PM

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) -Houston Astros center fielder Michael Bourn missed his fourth straight start with a sore left groin on Friday night but is expected to return to the lineup after one more day of rest.

``We just decided to give Michael another day,'' manager Cecil Cooper said before starting a three-game series against the Cardinals. ``We're going to give it a go tomorrow.''

Bourn was batting .216 but led the major leagues in steals with a perfect 13-for-13, and had a streak of 17 straight successes dating to last season. He's only the third player in major league history to start the season 13-for-13, and the first since Dave Roberts had 15 in a row to start 2004.

Daren Erstad got his fourth straight start in center field in place of Bourn.

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin since April 20, will throw a bullpen session Saturday and believes he'll be ready to return on schedule.

``I want to be ready,'' Rodriguez said. ``My goal is 200 innings and I want to reach that goal.''

Early fielding and hitting scheduled for third baseman Ty Wigginton, on the DL with a broken left thumb since April 6, was scratched due to afternoon rain and might have to wait until next week because of day games on Saturday and Sunday.

Cooper said Wigginton probably would have to go on a rehab assignment.

``You can't just roll up your sleeves and jump in the lineup,'' Cooper said. ``He's got to catch the ball a little bit and he's got to be comfortable doing that.''