MLB

Yankees’ Granderson bats at bottom of lineup

BALTIMORE — It’s not very often the eighth spot in a batting order is filled by a guy who hit 43 homers in the regular season. But that’s where Curtis Grandersonwas last night against Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen.

“Our line is deep now; we got guys back,’’ Girardi said. “Against the lefty we put him in the eighth slot. We feel our lineup is deep.’’

Granderson went 1-for-4 and struck out twice in last night’s 3-2 loss to the Orioles in Game 2 of the ALDS.

BOX SCORE

* Hitting coach Kevin Long spent most of yesterday afternoon working with hitters in the indoor batting cages at Camden Yards, and the group included Alex Rodriguez.

“He is hitting the [stuffing] out of the ball in batting practice, so it’s there,’’ Long said when asked if Rodriguez is still bothered by the fractured left hand he suffered in late July. “He will show up, no doubt in my mind. He will be big for us. He believes it, I believe it and his teammates believe it. That’s all that matters.’’

While the Yankees scored five runs in the ninth inning of a 7-2 Game 1 victory Sunday night, Rodriguez whiffed on a 1-2 fastball from sidearming Darren O’Day that was clocked at 87-mph in the middle of the rally. It was Rodriguez’s third strikeout of the game.

Last night, O’Day struck out Rodriguez in the seventh and Jim Johnson fanned him to end the game.

Rodriguez ended the season in an 8-for-39 (.205) slide and didn’t homer in the final 68 at-bats. His last homer was hit on Sept. 14.

* Eduardo Nunez’s glove may not be trusted but his bat has proven to be a commodity the Yankees need. The right-handed-hitting Nunez started last night as the DH.

“He has done a good job in these situations and has swung the bat well against left-handers,’’ said Girardi, who batted Nunez ninth where he went 1-for-4 and scored a run. “That’s why we have him here.’’

In 24 games against lefties, Nunez batted .360 (18-for-50).

* Asked about Andy Pettitte, last night’s starter, returning next season, Girardi said, “I wouldn’t be surprised.’’

* Buck Showalter heaped heavy praise on Matt Wieters prior to last night’s game.

“Best catcher I’ve ever had,’’ the O’s manager said. “Real lucky to have him pass my way.’’

***Asked about the length of time between playoff appearances (10 seasons without one) Ichiro Suzuki provided an interesting answer.

“I think if you commit a crime and it’s been 10 years, sometimes it can be erased off your record,’’ Ichiro said. “I don’t remember the good things that happened but I do remember we [the Mariners] lost to the Yankees.’’