Field Level Media
18 May 2022, 17:35 GMT+10
There's a truth in sports that you can't make a big play if you're not in the game. So the place in the lineup for a baseball player is not nearly as important as being in the lineup.
For players such as Kansas City's Nicky Lopez, finding a groove in the ninth spot is all about making the most of a hitting situation. He was 4-for-6 plus a walk in the ninth spot in Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.
Lopez likely will be back in that same position on Wednesday night when the Royals host the Chicago White Sox in the fourth contest of a five-game series.
The White Sox are expected to send Lucas Giolito (2-1, 2.70 ERA) to the mound to face fellow right-hander Zack Greinke (0-2, 3.52).
The two clubs split a doubleheader Tuesday, with the White Sox winning the opener 3-0 and the Royals claiming the nightcap 2-1. Runs were hard to come by, so producing from the bottom of the order can be a catalyst to igniting a rally.
"(Batting) No. 2 and 9 are where I want to be," Lopez said. "The 2-hole particularly, but I feel comfortable in the 9-hole."
Ironically, White Sox manager Tony La Russa likes to use the nine-hole in the lineup as a "second leadoff" spot. Lopez says it's more than just a label.
"I believe that whenever the first pitch is thrown that anybody can be that second leadoff hitter," Lopez said. "But there's a role for the 9-hole hitter to get on base for the top of the order. Whether I'm hitting 9, or 2, or wherever I'm hitting, my job is to get on base."
Lopez, who was hitting .367 after 10 games, had seen his average drop below .200. Now, he's just trying to find the groove again and is up to .215.
"The game of baseball has a funny way of kicking you when you're down," he said. "It keeps kicking you until you make adjustments. I just need to stay positive, make the proper adjustments and keep working."
Lopez is only 3-for-20 lifetime against Giolito, with one extra-base hit and an RBI. Giolito is 8-4 in his career against the Royals, with a 3.43 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings over 17 starts.
Greinke is still looking for his first win this season for the Royals, though he's pitched well.
He allowed three or fewer runs in his first six outings before allowing five runs in Colorado in his last start. He's 9-10 with a 3.97 ERA in 29 career outings (26 starts) against the White Sox.
Starter Dylan Cease got the victory for Chicago in the opener of Tuesday's doubleheader, striking out nine in 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball to improve to 4-1.
"Fortunately, I executed pitches with guys in scoring position pretty well today and got some big strikeouts," Cease told mlb.com.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of San Francisco Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to San Francisco Star.
More InformationCHICAGO, Illinois: For the first time in history, U.S. officials are considering a coordinated plan to vaccinate poultry against bird...
WASHINGTON DC, - U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Iran. He made the claim on...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks made strong gains on Monday, brushing off concerns Donald Trump's surprise ambush of Iranian nuclear...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites has cast a shadow over global markets, with investors bracing for...
OTTAWA, Canada: Canada may boost its counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the U.S. if a comprehensive trade agreement...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. economy is performing reasonably well, but Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces a difficult decision...
WASHINGTON DC, - U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Iran. He made the claim on...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: British Iranians living in the U.K. are taken aback when they try to reach their families in Tehran on the phone and...
BRASILIA, Brazil: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is accused of playing a key role in an illegal surveillance operation orchestrated...
ANKARA, Turkey: A Turkish far-right politician went on trial Wednesday, facing charges of inciting public hatred—an episode critics...
LONDON, U.K.: In a landmark moment for Britain, lawmakers in the House of Commons have voted in favour of legalising assisted dying,...
Western support for Israel's right to strike Iran backs up a pattern of pre-emptive violence that critics say is further eroding international...