The new haircut didn’t end Nick Swisher’s postseason blahs, so maybe a seat on the bench will.
Tired of waiting for Swisher to emerge from October hibernation, manager Joe Girardi last night gave Jerry Hairston Jr. a start in right field for Game 2 of the World Series. Swisher took his .114 postseason batting average to the bench with the hope he would return to the lineup tomorrow in Philadelphia.
“Obviously you are frustrated and upset,” Swisher said before the Yankees’ 3-1 victory over the Phillies. “But this is part of the thing. It’s a team game and we’ve gotten here by playing everybody we have.”
Girardi pointed to Hairston’s strong lifetime numbers facing last night’s Phillies starter Pedro Martinez — Hairston was 10-for-27 (.370) against the right-hander — but didn’t deny Swisher’s troubles necessitated the switch.
Hairston didn’t disappoint, delivering a leadoff single against Martinez in the seventh that led to the Yanks’ third run. Swisher did not play.
Swisher, who received a Mohawk haircut during the AL Championship Series, is just one of several Yankees who looked bad against Cliff Lee in Game 1 of the World Series. But Girardi isn’t about to mess with Mark Teixeira, among others.
“At this time of year, it’s about team,” Johnny Damon said. “Hairston has had success against Pedro. Right now we’re just trying to win as a team, and hopefully [it] will work out for us.”
Swisher’s lone RBI this postseason, entering last night, came in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Twins.
The lone hit in his last 17 at-bats before last night came in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Angels, when he singled in the fourth inning as part of a three-run Yankees’ rally.
Hairston hadn’t faced Martinez since 2004, but Girardi was willing to take a chance on his utilityman. It’s reminiscent of a move Girardi’s predecessor Joe Torre used to make against Martinez, occasionally starting reserve infielder Enrique Wilson.
“In the postseason it’s definitely tougher to hit, and Nick wants to be the guy who helps carry us to a world championship,” Damon said. “He’s been doing a great job defensively and getting his outfield assists.
“When you don’t contribute in a certain way, at least you like the fact he’s been going out and playing defense as well as he has been.”