ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Slumping Josh Hamilton was dropped to seventh in the Los Angeles Angels' lineup by manager Mike Scioscia for Wednesday night's game against the Seattle Mariners.
The All-Star right fielder and 2010 AL MVP entered the game batting .213 with 10 homers and 24 RBIs in 69 games, and had struck out 73 times in 268 at-bats while going 7-for-56 with runners in scoring position. But the change didn't help, as he went 0-for-3 Wednesday with two strikeouts and saw his average dip to .210.
On Tuesday night, Hamilton grounded into double plays his first three times up and struck out twice -- just the second time in 806 major league games that he grounded into more than one double play.
Scioscia said before the game that Hamilton's showing on Tuesday was only part of the reason for the change in the batting order. Another was that the Angels were facing a left-hander -- Joe Saunders -- although Hamilton had four hits in nine previous at-bats with a home run against the former Angels pitcher.
The Halos signed Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract in December after he left the Texas Rangers for free agency.