Major League Baseball

Diamondbacks move up pitcher Bradley to No. 8 in lineup

Published Apr. 22, 2015 9:20 p.m. ET

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PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks have batted their pitcher in the eighth spot for the second time in franchise history.

Rookie Archie Bradley hit eighth against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, with shortstop Nick Ahmed in the No. 9 spot. Manager Chip Hale said it was so the Diamondbacks could give Paul Goldschmidt more opportunities to have runners on base in front of him.

Arizona last had a pitcher hit eighth on June 4, 2008, when Micah Owings was moved up in the order at Milwaukee.

Tony La Russa, the Diamondbacks' chief baseball officer, had a history of batting pitchers eighth when he managed at St. Louis and was trying to get runners on in front of Albert Pujols.