OAKLAND, Calif. — Slumping third baseman Josh Donaldson was dropped from third to sixth in the Oakland Athletics’ batting order for Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees.
Manager Bob Melvin said was a move to help get Donaldson untracked.
Donaldson entered the game on a career-worst 0-for-31 skid, then went hitless in his first two at-bats before grounding an RBI single to right field in the fourth inning, snapping the streak. He finished the day 1-for-4.
Before Sunday, Donaldson hadn’t hit in any spots other than second, third or fourth in the order.
“It’s just a little bit of a change of scenery, which you do from time to time just to mix things up,” Melvin said before Oakland’s 10-5 victory. “I talked to him about it last night so he was aware. He hits 2, 3 and 4 for us, and it won’t be long before he’s back there. Like I said, change of scenery, take a little pressure off of him.”
After the game, Melvin said of Donaldson’s slumping-ending hit, “It’s good to see, and he gets an RBI on top of it. Next time up, hits a ball hard to short.
“It’s a difficult thing to go through. It’s one thing if you’re not a very good player. It’s another when you’re one of the elite players in the game and going through a struggle like that. It wears on you.”
Donaldson’s batting average was .280 before his slump. It now sits at .250.