SAN DIEGO • The profound funk that rookie Jeremy Hazelbaker plunged into after whirlwind beginning with the Cardinals led to several alterations recently of the Cardinals' lineup.
He was no longer the go-to guy batting second, allowing Stephen Piscotty to move into a middle-order spot. He was no longer the alternative in left field, allowing Matt Holliday to spend time at first base.
He was no longer hitting to make those things happen.
Hazelbaker had been zero-for-17 with eight strikeouts when he came to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the top of the seventh inning.