Why Sanchez is hitting seventh

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John Shea from Atlanta, where the Giants must win to finish their trip at 3-3 . . .

Slumping Freddy Sanchez was demoted from second to seventh. Manager Bruce Bochy said he's trying to "jumpstart the offense," which scored six runs in the past four games, including three losses. Pablo Sandoval is hitting second today (and batting lefty vs. Derek Lowe) with Pat Burrell batting cleanup for Buster Posey, who's resting.

Sanchez entered the game hitting .225 over 19 games and .258 on the season.

"It's been obvious for the last two months, I haven't done much, if anything," Sanchez said. "I don't feel I've done much to help the team win at all. It's frustrating. I can do what I can do. I get here early. It's not for a lack of trying.

"This is probably the worst year I had in baseball," added Sanchez, meaning personally, not how the team is faring. "This is what I play for, a pennant, and I'm not doing what I can do. A lot of frustrations. I work hard and the results aren't there."

Regarding hitting seventh, he said, "I've got to be fortunate I'm in there. When you're not doing the job in the 2 hole. . . (Andres) Torres is getting on like a mad man, and you have (Aubrey) Huff and Buster (Posey) behind me. I'm not doing what I should be doing. . . It's not a good feeling when you don't feel good at the plate." Sanchez has had knee and shoulder surgeries as a Giant but said, "That has nothing to do with it."

He added, "I'm going to keep working hard every day, 100 percent every day. I know I'm going to come out of this."

Sanchez is in the first year of a two-year, $12 million contract.

Posted By: John Shea (Email, Twitter) | August 08 2010 at 11:00 AM