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An example:
The Braves are in the field, clinging to a one-run lead in the top of the eighth. Maddux is getting tired. There are two outs in the inning. Maddux walks a guy to load the bases. Bobby Cox goes to the mound, and Javy says that Maddux is spent. Bobby looks at the lineup card, and sees that the #8 spot in the batting order (Marcus Giles) is due to hit first in the bottom of the eighth. Here's the entire order:
1. Rafael Furcal
2. Andruw Jones
3. Chipper Jones
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Robert Fick
6. Javy Lopez
7. Vinny Castilla
8. Marcus Giles
9. Greg Maddux
Cox wants to use Smoltz in this situation, but he wants more of a chance for an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, so he inserts Matt Franco at first base for Robert Fick at the same time he brings in Smoltz for Maddux. He lets the umpire know that Smoltz will bat fifth (Fick's spot), and Franco will bat ninth (Maddux's spot). The new order becomes:
1. Rafael Furcal
2. Andruw Jones
3. Chipper Jones
4. Gary Sheffield
5. John Smoltz
6. Javy Lopez
7. Vinny Castilla
8. Marcus Giles
9. Matt Franco
So, now in the bottom of the eighth, rather than Giles-Smoltz-Furcal, you have Giles-Franco-Furcal, and much more of a chance for an insurance run.
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