Joe Girardi shakes up New York Yankee’ batting lineup in Game 3 of ALCS - MLB Update
The match ended with Nick Swisher in the on desk circle as potential hitter for Russell Martin. Alex Rodriguez stayed in the dugout throughout the game.
Brett Gardner was used in the left field and at the leadoff spot in early stages of the game. Eduardo Nunez started the game at the shortstop position since Yankees’ regular shortstop Derek Jeter is out of the post-season with a fractured left ankle.
The move paid off for Girardi as Nunez belted a home-run against Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher Justin Verlander in the bottom of the ninth to help Yankees avoid another embarrassing shut-out defeat. However, despite Nunez’s heroics, Yankees suffered their
third straight American League Championship Series loss on Tuesday evening.
"I let him know before I posted the lineup that I was gonna go with Chavy," Girardi said. "These guys want to be in there and I understand that, and as I said, these are hard decisions but decisions I felt I needed to make."
Eric Chavez was used as the starting third baseman for the first time this season but he was unable to convert some easy scoring opportunities. Chavez also made a fielding error that allowed the Tigers to extend their lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning.
In a post-game interview, General Manager Brian Cashman explained that the team had to make these decisions mainly because of Rodriguez’s recent failures against the right handers.
"You want to be out there," Swisher said. "That's the manager's decision."
"It wasn't a tough ball," Chavez said. "I couldn't make a decision."
"I wasn't thinking about that," Cano said. "You just have to do what you have to do to get on base, especially when you want to keep the inning alive."
Throughout his Major League Baseball career, Rodriguez has remained a part of controversies. He is 0-for-18 with 12 strike-outs against the right-handers in the playoffs. Against Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander, he was 4-for-6 with two home-runs.
It was the second time Girardi decided to bench Rodriguez in the playoffs. Rodriguez sat out in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles as well.
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