Coming off a four-game stretch in which the Angels scored two runs, Scioscia shook up his lineup Tuesday, moving Casey Kotchman to the second spot and Maicer Izturis to the third spot.
"Kotch can work counts, get on base, and Izzy gives us a better situational look," Scioscia said. "Hopefully it will spark something."
Kotchman has hit in six different spots this season: second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth.
"Hopefully it works and helps get us going," Kotchman said before the game.
"The objective is still the same no matter where you're hitting. Try to get a hit, a walk, get on base, something."
Sticker shock
If Francisco Rodriguez's second half is as good as his first (33 saves, 1.98 ERA) the closer could command a deal for up to $15 million a year, for four or five years, as a free agent next winter.
But if the cost of re-signing Rodriguez goes up, Angels owner Arte Moreno is not about to complain.
"You always want people to be healthy and successful," Moreno said, "especially when they're playing for us."
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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
