So Taguchi hit a solo shot in the St. Louis Cardinals' 8-7 preseason loss to the Florida Marlins Thursday for his first home run since joining the major leagues in the 2001 offseason.
Taguchi, who spent most of last season in the minor leagues and had just 15 at-bats with the top team, delivered Kevin Olsen's first pitch into the left-field bleachers at Roger Dean Stadium for his only hit of the day.