Manager Joe Torre submitted a starting lineup Wednesday night that had pitcher Eric Stults batting eighth and outfielder Juan Pierre batting ninth. It marked the first time since Aug. 15, 1965, when Walter Alston turned in a card that had Don Drysdale batting seventh against Pittsburgh, that a Dodgers pitcher began the game batting anywhere other than the No. 9 hole.
Pierre started for just the third time this season, and Torre had strongly considered batting him ninth in at least one of those. This time, Torre did it, a decision that was based largely on Pierre's ability to steal a base and the fact that ability might be hindered by having Stults, or any other pitcher, at the plate. The alignment also gave the Dodgers three table setters -- Pierre, shortstop Rafael Furcal and second baseman Orlando Hudson -- batting in front of Manny Ramirez, making Ramirez akin to a cleanup hitter even though by batting third, he was assured of coming up in the first inning.
Torre said he met with Pierre briefly to explain the rationale.
"I would be willing to bat 11th as long as I'm in that lineup," Pierre said. "He doesn't have to explain anything to me."
Pierre wound up leading off just one inning, the eighth, and although the Dodgers trailed 7-0 at the time, he did kick off a three-run rally. Pierre, Furcal and Hudson all reached ahead of Ramirez, who then walked.
GIANTS 9, DODGERS 4: Tim Lincecum proved too much for the Dodgers, especially on a night when Eric Stults appeared to have no command and failed to get out of the third inning. Stults gave up five runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings, putting the club in a hole that was clearly insurmountable on a night when Lincecum was almost unhittable. Orlando Hudson went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
