Dave Roberts shakes up Dodgers’ sputtering lineup

ST. LOUIS — He had to try something, right?

“I didn’t need to,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of shaking up a Dodgers lineup that has been fairly unproductive for the past few weeks. “I just felt this was something I wanted to do and I expect production.”

A night after 22 of 23 Dodgers hitters went down in order at one point against Adam Wainwright, the latest example of an underachieving offense, Roberts sent out a lineup featuring multiple changes Thursday.

Most notably, Roberts moved Mookie Betts back into his preferred spot, leadoff, and moved Trea Turner down to third. Betts was just 8 for 42 (.190) in his first 13 games since returning from the injured list. Turner, meanwhile, extended his career-high hitting streak to 16 games with a two-out double in his first at-bat.

“I just wanted to change it up a little bit, give the lineup a different look,” Roberts said. “I think they (Betts and Turner) are both interchangeable. Mookie sees more pitches. They both have the ability to get on base. But I think I just wanted to change it up a bit.”

Roberts also gave Corey Seager and Will Smith – two of the Dodgers’ few productive hitters of late – the day off Thursday, leaving the Dodgers with a lineup from 5 through 9 of Cody Bellinger, Steven Souza Jr., Billy McKinney, Austin Barnes and the pitcher’s spot. Barnes was the only one in that group batting over .195 (he took a .220 average into Thursday’s game).

In their 19 games before Thursday, the Dodgers had hit .206 as a team and averaged 3.89 runs per game.

“I wouldn’t say needed. I think with where we’re at and how we’ve performed, kind of giving it a different look – but it’s the collective offensive unit that needs to get better,” Roberts said. “Whether I flip two guys, up and down the lineup we’ve got to continue to take good at-bats and put some points on the board.”

Max Muncy expressed his frustration after Wednesday’s loss, acknowledging the offense has “definitely been inconsistent” and not performing up to its talent level.

“I think if you ask anybody on this team they’ll tell you we’ve really sucked on the offensive side,” Muncy said.

Roberts endorsed Muncy’s harsh assessment.

“It needs to get better,” he said. “For me, it’s always good to hear players holding each other and themselves accountable. It’s a very talented offensive group. But that doesn’t win ballgames. For Max to voice that – and the sentiment is shared by other guys in the clubhouse on the position-player side. And I’m with them. We all know it needs to get better. So it’s good to hear. But his teammates feel the same.”

LUX CAPACITY

Infielder Gavin Lux was demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City two weeks ago. Roberts said earlier this week that Lux will be “coming soon” back to the Dodgers.

In his first nine games with OKC, Lux was 12 for 41 (.293) with a home run and a pair of doubles. But he has also been learning to live life as a utility player. Lux has started three times at third base and once in center field as well as playing second base.

“He’s trying to adjust to playing different parts of the diamond, a different role,” Roberts said. “It’s not the way anyone planned it. It’s the way it is. How do we make the best of it?

“With Gavin, it’s ‘come back when you come back. You’re on the bench. You’re a role player and help the team win.’”

Roberts was asked if Lux’s future might be in the outfield.

“I hope it’s not,” he said. “It wouldn’t be good for him or us if it is.”

ALSO

The Dodgers activated Tony Gonsolin and Andre Jackson before Thursday’s game. Right-hander Mitch White was optioned back to Triple-A after pitching five innings Wednesday night and reliever Neftali Feliz was designated for assignment for the second time in the past three weeks.

UP NEXT

Padres (RHP Joe Musgrove 10-8, 2.87 ERA) at Dodgers (LHP Julio Urias, 16-3, 3.11 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM