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Howard's spot in lineup plummets

The Phillies will begin a 4-game series in Washington tonight and Ryan Howard is slotted in the seventh spot in the batting order. It's the first time Howard has hit that low in a lineup in 9 years.

On April 21, 2006, Aaron Rowand was the Phillies leadoff hitter and shortstop Alex Gonzalez hit second. Jon Lieber and Ryan Franklin were the only two pitchers to take the mound for the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

It was on that day, nearly nine years ago, that Ryan Howard was last slotted seventh in the Phillies batting order. Until Thursday in Washington.

Ryne Sandberg's lineup for the first of four games against the Nationals in DC has the slumping Howard slotted in the seventh spot.

"To create a lineup to win a game, balance (with lefthanded and righthanded hitters), taking advantage of hot bats," Sandberg said of his lineup alterations. "Trying to get something going. ... It's about giving everybody an opportunity."

Asked if he had a second to talk before batting practice, Howard kept his words brief as he grabbed a bat out of his locker.

"I'm working," Howard said. "Working. Gotta get my work done."

Howard made his way to the indoor cage at Nationals Park.

The lineup:

1. Odubel Herrera, CF

2. Freddy Galvis, SS

3. Chase Utley, 2B

4. Jeff Francoeur, RF

5. Cody Asche, 3B

6. Carlos Ruiz, C

7. Ryan Howard, 1B

8. Darin Ruf, LF

9. Cole Hamels, P

That lineup will face Washington's Doug Fister for the second time in six days. Howard went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles in that game, but he's hitting .148 (4-for-27) with no home runs in his first 7 games of the 2015 season.