Skipper drops sluggers in order

Struggling power hitters Davis, Trumbo sent toward bottom of batting order

OAKLAND, CALIF. — Buck Showalter is done waiting for his top two sluggers to click at the heart of the Orioles batting order to make whole a lineup with hot hitters at the top and bottom.

A day after designated hitter Mark Trumbohomered to break an 0-for-24 skid in his first start of the season batting sixth, he was there again Friday night, and first baseman Chris Davis returned from a day off to reset batting seventh for the first time in nearly three seasons.

Showalter insisted nothing went into the decision, even though Trumbo and Davis have furiously tried to pull themselves back to their career norms that at times their efforts have been counterproductive. Combined, the duo that hit 85 home runs between them a season ago entered Friday with 36. Trumbo was batting .237 with a .706 OPS. Davis was at .212 with a .739 OPS.

“You don’t take the heat off guys,” Showalter said. “They put pressure on themselves. It’s a number. I like the idea of having some threats all the way through the lineup. We’ve got some guys who have done well toward the top, and some guys who have done well toward the bottom. I like the depth of our lineup.”

The two players’ understanding of the changing assignments approaching the season’s final seven weeks varies, but the reality is that a team’s best hitters should bat highest in the lineup to ensure they get the most opportunities at the plate. All-Star Jonathan Schoop, plus rookie Trey Mancini and even newcomer Tim Beckham all have hit their way above the two veteran sluggers.

“I think that there’s quite simply, speaking for myself, guys that have outperformed me,” Trumbo said. “And they should be probably For coverage of the Orioles’ game Friday night, go to baltimoresun. com/orioles Tonight, 9:05 TV: MASN2 Radio: 105.7 FM