SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey hasn’t batted fifth in the Giants’ lineup since 2010, his first full major-league season.
Posey has only logged 34 plate appearances in his career hitting fifth, more than only hitting ninth (17), eighth (10) and leadoff (one).
Yet Giants manager Bruce Bochy has his All-Star catcher hitting fifth Friday night against the Athletics for a 7:15 p.m. start at AT&T Park. Normally Posey hits second, third or fourth, and Bochy explained – somewhat – the reason for the rare lineup shift.
“It’s more to balance the lineup a little bit more, a little more than it has been,” Bochy said.