Mitch Moreland went second in batting order, Michael Young steams with consistent hits
Many critics did not see how it would play out for the Texas Rangers when manager, Ron Washington, announced he would play Mitch Moreland second in the line-up against the Kansas City Royals.
Usually the first baseman is called on to play between the sixth and ninth order. Seeing him on second position was different for many critics. These days the player is filling in for an injured Josh Hamilton on the left field.
It was only fair that he would be given a chance up the order. Elvis Andrus was already not in the line-up due to a day off. Moreland was given the opportunity also due to the fact that he smashed a home run on April 22, 2011, against the Royals and availed
the team’s first RBI double on April 23, 2011.
"I decided to move Mitch up there because if I need him to do something," Washington said, "he can hit the ball the other way, you can hit and run with him, you can bunt, he can pull the ball if he has to. Right now, he gives you good at-bats".
Most of the figures on Moreland’s statistics have come from hitting down the order. The player was happy with proving his worth on playing at the top as he managed to collect a run from two walks in the recent game.
"It means something to me", Moreland said. "Hopefully I can keep producing".
Michael Young, on the other hand, moved onto a 14-game hitting streak on April 24, 2011. He managed to drive in a run and collect a run for himself in the game against the Royals. The last time the unofficial captain of the club hit this well was in the
August of 2009, when he had an 18-game hitting streak.
"The guy is a hitter", manager Ron Washington said. "He can hit. The opportunities that he's getting on the field are helping him. And the guy wants to win, so he'll do anything he can to help the team win".
With a batting average of .372, Young is proving to be a captain and if the Rangers stick with him more, they will reap more hits in the coming games.
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