Yankee manager Joe Girardi has decided to bench the struggling Alex Rodriguez for the decisive Game 5 of the ALDS. Rodriguez will be replaced in the lineup by Eric Chavez.
In the previous two games, Girardi has pinch-hit for Rodriguez with left-handers relievers late in the game. Rodriguez is 2-for-16 with nine strikeouts. All nine of his strikeouts have been against right-handed pitchers.
The Orioles are starting Jason Hammel.
In his career, Rodriguez is 8-for-24 (.333) with four homers against the Hammel. He was 0-for-2 in Game 1 against Hammel.
In Girardi’s lineup, Derek Jeter is to returning to shortstop, while the Curtis Granderson is still in center.
Raul Ibanez is the DH. Granderson is 1-for-16 with nine strikeouts in this series. Nick Swisher is 2-for-15. Both will get another chance to start.
Jeter didn’t play short in Game 4 because of a brusied bone on his left foot. He did DH.
WRITTEN BY Andrew Marchand | ESPNewYork.com – Ian Begley contributed to this report & FULL STORY HERE
