Hoping to jump-start an inconsistent offense that has struggled to score runs in recent games, manager Tony La Russa moved his pitcher back to the eighth spot in the batting order for Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Pitcher Chris Carpenter batted eighth and shortstop Brendan Ryan hit ninth in the Cardinals’ 5-4 win over the Braves. “I think it creates more opportunities for us to score, which is the bottom line,” La Russa said Tuesday afternoon. “We’re a wining ball club so I am doing this to give us a better shot. If our offense was going crazy then I wouldn’t be messing with it.” La Russa batted the pitcher eighth several times last season before they acquired slugger Matt Holliday. The last time La Russa had his pitcher bat eighth was on July 21, three days before Holliday was acquired from the Oakland Athletics. Ryan was also the ninth place hitter on that day, going 1-for-3 in an 11-6 loss to Houston. http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/apr/28/cardinals-batting-pitcher-eighth-spot-again-tuesda/
