Andrus dropped to No. 9 spot in lineup

ANAHEIM -- Rangers manager Ron Washington dropped slumping shortstop Elvis Andrus into the No. 9 spot for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Andrus went into Sunday's game with just one hit in his last 24 at-bats and two in his last 38. His batting average has gone from .304 to .217 over the past 12 games. He is also hitless in his last 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

"I'm moving him down to get him to relax a little bit," Washington said. "Hopefully he does. Maybe he doesn't. I want to give him a little break and get him back to where he should be. He's not seeing the ball well. He's chasing pitches he normally doesn't chase. Right now he is out of sync."

This is the first time that Andrus has been in the starting lineup at the No. 9 spot since 2010.

"It's not the first time it's happened," Andrus said. "As long as I'm in the lineup, I'm happy. It's not news that I'm scuffling at the plate. I'm down for anything that can help the team. If the manager thinks moving me down and putting somebody else in the No. 2 hole, until I get my swing … if that's best for the team, there is nothing you can do.

"Even yesterday I felt I had a couple of good at bats but that guy [Garrett Richards] had really good stuff. He had my number. I've got to keep fighting. I still have plenty of at-bats in front of me. As long as I stay positive, things will be fine."

Daniel Robertson was in the lineup, batting second and playing left field. It is the first time he has been in the lineup since being acquired from the Padres on April 23. Michael Choice was in center field. Leonys Martin was given the day off with left-hander Tyler Skaggs on the mound for the Angels and Shin-Soo Choo was at designated hitter.

Washington said he's not sure how long he will leave Andrus at the bottom of the order.

"We'll see how it goes today," Washington said.