The Los Angeles Angels are currently 10 games out of first place in the AL west and after some mighty struggles this season, manager Mike Scioscia moved Josh Hamilton down to the seventh spot in the batting order on Wednesday night against the Mariners.
According to ESPN.com, more changes could be coming down the line for the Angels and Hamilton was moved to seventh after starting the season hitting just .213 with 10 homers and 24 RBIs in 69 games. He has been struggling to make contact as well, as he has struck out over 70 times and is in a 7-for-56 slump with runners in scoring position on the bases. He went 0-for-3 in the game after the change and is now hitting .210 after striking out twice more.
The Angels have been a huge disappointment since signing Hamilton and the team was expecting much more out of him and the squad after also adding Albert Pujols last season. The report says that Hamilton grounded into double plays three times in first three at bats on Tuesday and after striking out in his other two at-bats, ESPN.com says that it was the second time in 806 major league games that he has grounded into multiple double plays.
Scioscia said that the game on Tuesday was the reason for the chance and since they were facing a left handed pitcher in Joe Saunders, he felt it was a good move. Hamilton had four hits in his last nine at bats, but he did not fare well again. Hamilton signed a huge five year deal with over $100 million last year and that is one reason for the high expectations.
The Angels are ranked 11th in runs and seventh in batting average, but they are playing neck and neck with the lowly Mariners in the AL West. The team is also ranked sixth in both slugging and on base percentage.