SAN FRANCISCO -- Bruce Bochy already had moved Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford down in the lineup at times. On Thursday he made a slight change with another member of the core.
Buster Posey will hit fifth Thursday against Padres right-hander Chris Paddack. It's the first time this season that Posey is that low in the order, and Bochy said he spoke to his longtime catcher about the change during Posey's charity event Wednesday.
"He said 'If you think you need to move me, move me,'" Bochy said. "It's an unselfish group ... I haven't had a guy come in yet asking or complaining. They're willing to do what I believe is best for the team."
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Posey has started 45 games in the No. 3 spot, along with 29 in the cleanup spot and 11 in the No. 2 spot. On Thursday, Bochy slid him in behind Mike Yastrzemski, Belt, Evan Longoria and Alex Dickerson.
Posey has a .680 OPS on the season and has struggled to find his form in recent weeks. He's hitless in his last 11 at-bats and has just nine nits in 52 at-bats over his past 13 appearances. Posey has not homered since July 31 in Philadelphia.
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While it's a small change, Bochy is unlikely to go any further. He reiterated that these are the players he will win with. Earlier this week, he made that point when asked if Posey could slide down in the order.
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"These guys are our guys," Bochy said Monday. "The order, we've moved it around a little bit. But a guy like (Posey) is such a good hitter. Two nights ago he squared it up every at-bat. These guys are who we will win with, and I'm staying with them."