Super subs prevent sinking feeling for baseball contenders

They opened the season as role players but have been lifesavers, rescuing their teams in times of need.

The Los Angeles Dodgers cringe when considering where they would be without Juan Pierre, the forgotten outfielder of a year ago, who is now hitting like Ted Williams.

There is no reason for the Boston Red Sox to rush shortstop Jed Lowrie back from his left wrist surgery, not with journeyman Nick Green flirting with a .300 average.

The Chicago Cubs avoided trouble at third base when Mike Fontenot stepped in nicely on defense for injured Aramis Ramirez.

FANALYTICS: Time to rethink surprise players, explore trades

"When you're a role player, if you can just contribute to a win, that's all that matters," says Green, who entered Tuesday night hitting .298. "Everyone wants to play every day, but as a role player, you're trying to install confidence in your manager that you can play out there weeks at a time."

Pierre is not only contributing to the Los Angeles Dodgers and their best record in baseball, but thriving as Manny Ramirez's replacement.

Pierre is hitting .410 in the 24 games since Ramirez was suspended last month for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.

"He's saved us in a lot of ways," says Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, who permitted Pierre to seek a trade in the winter. "If we had traded Juan in the offseason, when we lost Manny, it would have put a lot of pressure on a lot of people. I'm thrilled for what he's done for the club and for himself."

Fontenot, who hit .305 last season, was supposed to be the Cubs' top utility player.

That plan changed when Aramis Ramirez dislocated his left shoulder on May 8.

"We knew he had versatility, but he's playing third better than anybody we had," Cubs special assistant Gary Hughes says.

See more at www.usatoday.com

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