![\"MlbHlSq\"](\"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/wp-content\/MlbHlSq.jpg\" "\\"MlbHlSq\\"")
Top billing was given to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcDoc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFreak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, but it was plain-old eighth spot hitter Cody Ross who stole the show in Philadelphia last night.\u00c2\u00a0 The former Marlin took Roy Halladay deep twice as the San Francisco Giants took an early lead in the NLCS with a 4-3 Game One victory.<\/p>\n
The eighth spot in the batting order doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t typically provide much power.\u00c2\u00a0 In the National League, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s often the landing spot for a team\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s least effective hitter, unless Tony La Russa is pulling his \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpitcher batting eighth\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 trick for the Cardinals.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not so in last night\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s game.\u00c2\u00a0 Ross did his damage batting eighth and his opposing number in the Phillies\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 lineup, Carlos Ruiz, also hit a home run against one of the elite starters in the game today (Lincecum in Ruiz\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s case).<\/p>\n
A player\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s spot in the batting order can assume a surprising level of importance.\u00c2\u00a0 There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an obvious tactical side to the construction of a lineup that makes a manager want to put his best hitters in certain positions.\u00c2\u00a0 Speed and on-base skills for the lead-off hitter, a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcprofessional hitter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in the two spot who can advance the runner or get on base himself, followed by the 3-4-5 heart of the order who\u00c2\u00a0 drive home the runs (that’s the theory, at least).<\/p>\n
Being in one of those roles therefore bestows an additional element of responsibility and importance.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not just a number, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a badge of honour.\u00c2\u00a0 Ever player will toe the party line and talk about \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwhat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s best for the time\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, but no one gives up their lofty batting lineup position lightly.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Few will forget the fuss that was made when Alex Rodriguez was demoted down to the eighth spot by Joe Torre during the Yankees\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 2006 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers.\u00c2\u00a0 Rodriguez was struggling at the plate, but moving him all the way down to the eighth spot was a symbolic move as much as anything.\u00c2\u00a0 It was considered a serious slight against Rodriguez, some would say a deliberate slight (an act of humiliation even) by a manager who later saw fit to reveal stories of Rodriguez being called \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcA-Fraud\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 by his teammates.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Rodriguez, hitting in the eighth spot was a come-down, but we shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fall into the trap of downplaying the lower-order hitters.\u00c2\u00a0 Somebody has to hit there after all and sometimes the lower-order is home to postseason heroes like Cody Ross.<\/p>\n
Giants-Phillies resume tonight on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra<\/strong><\/p>\n Game Two of the NLCS will be broadcast on BBC radio tonight, with first pitch set for 1 a.m.\u00c2\u00a0 Jonathan Sanchez and Roy Oswalt are the scheduled starters as the Phillies look to level the series.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n Ryan and Rangers can smile again<\/strong><\/p>\n