The Soriano-in-the-two-hole experiment has lasted a week. Piniella doesn’t sound like he’s sold, even though it was his idea. ...
“He said he’s 80 to 85 percent healthy, and that has more to do with him batting second than anything,” Piniella said. “There’s that cool wind in Chicago. We need his bat in the lineup and don’t need him running. That’s the rationale.” ...
For Piniella, protecting the team’s monumental investment will mean handcuffing himself at times and having to grin-and-bear situations such as the one that unfolded in the sixth inning (of their last game).
Batting in front of sluggers Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, Soriano came to the plate with runners on first and second and none out, the score tied 1-1. Traditional National League strategy called for a bunt or a hit-and-run. Piniella did nothing and Soriano struck out.
“If it was the eighth or ninth inning in that situation, I’d do what I have to do and move them up,” Soriano said. “But any earlier in the game, I’m going to use the same approach I always have.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-springsoriano031808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
