LesPaul
05-07-2005, 11:39 AM
Ron Gardenhire moved Bartlett from the 2nd spot in the order to the ninth. He feels it will take some pressure off of Bartlett and with Punto's hot bat there were others to fill the top of the order.
Notes: Bartlett slides down lineup
Gardenhire moves shortstop from two-hole to ninth
By Thomas Simonetti / Special to MLB.com
ST. PETERSBURG -- Jason Bartlett had to wait a little longer before he got a chance to swing the bat Friday against Tampa Bay. The rookie shortstop, who has only hit from the two-hole this season, was pushed down to ninth in the lineup.
"We're going to try to take a little pressure off Bartlett," said Minnesota skipper Ron Gardenhire. "He may be thinking a little too much. I want to let him relax a little bit."
Bartlett, batting .247 this season, hit a leadoff home run to left field off C.C. Sabathia in the fifth inning Thursday. But the 25-year-old has struggled on the road (.200 average outside the Metrodome) and against right-handed pitching (.224 this season).
Backup second baseman Nick Punto, hitting second, smashed a ball to right-center in the first inning.
Bartlett won a four-way battle for shortstop in camp over three more experienced players.
Notes: Bartlett slides down lineup
Gardenhire moves shortstop from two-hole to ninth
By Thomas Simonetti / Special to MLB.com
ST. PETERSBURG -- Jason Bartlett had to wait a little longer before he got a chance to swing the bat Friday against Tampa Bay. The rookie shortstop, who has only hit from the two-hole this season, was pushed down to ninth in the lineup.
"We're going to try to take a little pressure off Bartlett," said Minnesota skipper Ron Gardenhire. "He may be thinking a little too much. I want to let him relax a little bit."
Bartlett, batting .247 this season, hit a leadoff home run to left field off C.C. Sabathia in the fifth inning Thursday. But the 25-year-old has struggled on the road (.200 average outside the Metrodome) and against right-handed pitching (.224 this season).
Backup second baseman Nick Punto, hitting second, smashed a ball to right-center in the first inning.
Bartlett won a four-way battle for shortstop in camp over three more experienced players.