One bat can’t lift the Yankees’ lineup that has been afflicted by shrinking biceps.
Yet if the Yankees are going to enter October through the cheesy backdoor known as the “Second Wild Card,’’ a lot of responsibility will fall on Mark Teixeira’s broad shoulders.
In other years — and possibly next season — the man with that responsibility was the currently suspended Alex Rodriguez. Then it was Robinson Cano, who has the Mariners in the wild-card chase.
When the Yankees dropped a combined $283 million on Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, they figured the trinity would be able to help carry a lineup through the valleys. Of course, that hasn’t happened. McCann and Beltran never really got untracked and Ellsbury, when the Yankees need him the most, is in a 1-for-20 slide.
“I know our offense has definitely struggled this year,’’ Teixeira said before hitting a home run Sunday that helped carry the Yankees to a much-needed 4-2 win over the Rays and send them into Tuesday night’s game against the awful Astros having won two in a row after dropping five straight. “I know if I am in the lineup, I know we are a much better team. If I am 100 percent in the lineup, it’s even better. And I haven’t been able to do either very much.’’
Idle Monday, the Yankees entered the day seven games back of the AL East-leading Orioles and 3 ½ lengths behind the Mariners for the second wild-card ticket.
Of course, Teixeira hasn’t been in the lineup every day and it’s doubtful that since Opening Day the 34-year-old switch-hitter has ever been 100 percent.
Now, can Teixeira be the man to lead the Yankees to October?
Even though he was coming back from right wrist surgery that limited him to 15 games in 2013, Teixeira arrived in spring training looking to hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs. With 20 homers, there is a chance he can get to 30, but he has 53 RBIs in 90 games.
“I have missed a whole bunch of games this year so statistical goals kind of get thrown out the window,’’ Teixeira said. “The next six weeks I am trying to help the team win, whether that is hitting a home run, drawing a walk or making a play at first base, that’s all I am trying to do.’’
Helping the Yankees extend the season into October would erase some of the sting of a tough sixth year in pinstripes for Teixeira, who is signed through 2016.
“Painful,’’ he answered when asked what kind of year he has had.
“Mostly physically, but mentally it’s obviously tough because you are having to deal with aches and pains pretty much daily and that gets old,’’ said Teixeira who was on the DL with hip problem in April, missed time in May with a sore wrist, was out for seven games in July with a sore back and missed three games this month after taking three stitches in the left pinkie.
According to hitting coach Kevin Long, Teixeira is giving off positive signs at the plate.
“I think he feels pretty good, he is swinging more aggressive and isn’t feeling for it as much and letting go of the bat like he was,’’ Long said of Teixeira, who is hitting .304 (7-for-23) in six games since returning from the sliced pinkie.
Teixeira says he is happy the way his wrist has responded and there isn’t a body part barking loud enough to keep him out of the lineup.
Is it asking too much for Teixeira to turn back the clock to 2009-2011, when he averaged 37 homers, 113.7 RBIs and 156.6 games played in his first three years as a Yankee?
Probably age and injury have robbed him. Yet, Beltran and McCann, each of whom has struggled with injuries, too, aren’t suddenly going to carry the Yankees and Ellsbury hasn’t been that player the Yankees desperately need Teixeira to be now.