Bochy drops Belt from 3rd spot in batting order

Bochy drops Belt from 3rd spot in batting order

LOS ANGELES — Bruce Bochy does not take lineup changes lightly, particularly with his key players.

Belt still walks at a healthy clip, but he took a .214 second-half batting average into Wednesday night’s game, so Bochy dropped him to seventh against left-hander Rich Hill.

Belt might hit higher against right-handers, but Bochy plans to keep Buster Posey third or sometimes play matchups.

Bochy did not need to explain his decision to the player.

Belt was batting .249 with one strikeout per 2.8 at-bats from the third spot and .300 with one strikeout per 5.1 at-bats everywhere else.

Belt considers those numbers a bit misleading because of a 2-for-33 stretch out of the break hitting third.

Bochy returned Belt to the third spot Aug. 6, and he had a three-hit night in Washington, then hit .207 with 24 strikeouts in 58 at-bats over the next 15 games, prompting Wednesday’s move.

Belt still believes he can be a viable No. 3 hitter and does not feel he pressed there.

“I know he’s always stated that’s where he’d like to hit, the three hole,” Bochy said.

After a good East Coast trip, the bullpen has regressed, allowing 24 runs in 29 2/3 innings leading into Wednesday.

Cory Gearrin has allowed five runs in 12/3 innings since coming off the disabled list.

Asked if Gearrin still has shoulder issues, Bochy said the opposite seems true, that Gearrin’s arm strength is hindering the sink on his fastballs.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

Ross Stripling, who will start for the Dodgers on Thursday night, no-hit them for 71/3 innings in his major-league debut April 8 before he was pulled for pitch count.