Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - After being lifted for a pinch-hitter in each of
the last two games of the American League Division Series, Alex Rodriguez is
out of the starting lineup for the New York Yankees in the decisive Game 5
against the Baltimore Orioles.
Rodriguez is only 2-for-16 with a pair of singles and nine strikeouts in the
first four games of the series. The right-handed slugger has especially
struggled in clutch situations.
Curtis Granderson, just 1-for-16 with nine strikeouts in the series, is still
in the lineup. The lefty-swinging center fielder led the Yankees with 43
homers and 106 RBI during the regular season.
Baltimore is starting right-hander Jason Hammel on Friday.
Rodriguez was the designated hitter in Game 3 on Wednesday and was lifted for
a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning with the Yankees trailing by a run. Raul
Ibanez delivered with the game-tying home run -- then a subsequent 12th-inning
winning homer -- in a 3-2 Yankees win.
In Game 4 on Thursday, Eric Chavez came in as a pinch-hitter for Rodriguez in
the 13th inning and lined out for the final out of a 2-1 Baltimore win.
Rodriguez had a walk and a hit in his first two plate appearances Thursday,
then struck out in the sixth with a runner aboard and fanned again in the
eighth with the go-ahead run on third and one out. He also grounded out to
short to open the 11th.
Chavez will start Game 5 at third base and will bat ninth, while Ibanez will
be the designated hitter and will bat fifth.
Derek Jeter, bothered by a bone bruise on his foot, is back at shortstop after
a stint as the designated hitter on Thursday.
The Sports Network