For the first time since Game 2 of the ALDS against the Orioles a week ago, Alex Rodriguez finished a game yesterday.
“The last two at-bats were much better for me,’’ said Rodriguez, who lined to left in the seventh and singled to center in the ninth after striking out in the second and fourth of the Yankees’ 3-0 ALCS Game 2 loss to the Tigers. “It’s something to build on, and I feel good about that.’’
Of course, much more is expected from Rodriguez. Joe Girardi hit for him in Games 3 and 4 of the ALDS and benched him for the Game 5 clincher. On Saturday night, Girardi hit for Rodriguez in the eighth.
* On Opening Day of 2003, Derek Jeter dislocated his shoulder on a collision at third base with Blue Jays catcher Ken Huckaby, eventually landing him on the disabled list for six weeks. His manager at the time, Joe Torre, recalled yesterday what Jeter said to him while lying injured at the base: “I’ll be in there tomorrow.”
Torre, now an MLB executive, was in the trainer’s room Saturday night when Jeter learned he had a fractured left ankle, suffering the season-ending injury in Game 1.
“It was just sad to see,” Torre said, admitting he had never seen Jeter so downcast. “There was really nothing to say.”
Torre said Jeter had been viewed as “indestructible,” and he marveled at watching the shortstop limp around in ALDS Game 3 with a bone bruise and still be able to DH in Game 4. Torre said with injuries, Jeter — as he does now — always would say he was fine.
“It was always the same answer,” Torre said.
Jeter’s streak of 158 consecutive postseason games, dating to 1996, was broken.
* A little over two hours before yesterday’s first pitch, Girardi did not know whether relievers David Robertson and Rafael Soriano were available to pitch. With the Yankees trailing after six innings, neither was needed.
“I have no idea who I have,’’ Girardi said. “These guys have been over-worked, and I am not so sure their stuff when I brought them in the last two innings [the 10th and 11th in Game 1] wasn’t just on grit. I have to see how they feel. I don’t know if they are available to me.’’
Robertson worked four times in five days during the ALDS against the Orioles and warmed up in CC Sabathia’s complete-game effort in Game 5. Soriano worked 1 1/3 innings in Game 3 against the Orioles, two frames in Game 4 and warmed up in Game 5.
After using seven relievers Saturday night in Game 1 against the Tigers, Girardi used Joba Chamberlain for one batter and the righty allowed a hit. Chamberlain had not worked since getting hit on the right elbow by a shattered bat Thursday night.
* The Yankees activated Eduardo Nunez to take Jeter’s spot on the 25-man roster, but considering Nunez’s shaky defense there is a risk in Girardi starting him at shortstop.
“I will go day by day, which I always do,’’ said Girardi, who pointed to Nunez providing speed on the bases and hitting ability.
* The Yankees and Tigers will not work out today at Comerica Park.
“I want our players to rest and I want them to enjoy their off day and come ready to play [tomorrow],’’ Girardi said. “Guys have asked me and told them to rest.’’
* Girardi will attend services for his late father, Jerry, today in Illinois. GM Brian Cashman and bullpen coach Mike Harkey are slated to travel with Girardi.
* For the third straight postseason game, the Stadium wasn’t full and those in attendance were not very loud.
“I think the atmosphere would be better if we scored some more runs,’’ Girardi said.