MLB

Berkman OK after taking tumble

When Lance Berkman slipped and landed on his back in the fourth inning of yesterday’s ALCS Game 5, the

Yankees’ new first baseman was in pain.

But one thing hurt worse.

“My pride,” Berkman said with a smile.

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In his first game as Mark Teixeira’s replacement, Berkman drove in a run and scored another, but the most memorable part of his day was his tumble in foul territory.

Texas’ Ian Kinsler skied a foul ball just past the Yankees’ dugout. Berkman overran the ball just a bit, tried to stop and fell to the ground.

Initially, everyone at Yankee Stadium, including Berkman, thought he hit his head on the ground. He stayed down for a few minutes and was attended to by the Yankees trainers. It turned out he didn’t hit his head; he hurt his back.

“I overran that ball just a hair and was trying to stop to catch it and my feet just came right out from under me,” Berkman said. “I was looking up at the ball and the next thing I know I was flat on my back looking up at the sky. It wasn’t good.”

Berkman got up and stayed in the game, but the Yankees had a bit of a scare watching him lay on the ground one night after Teixeira’s season came to an end because of a strained right hamstring.

“I was thinking we might have to call Juan Miranda,” said Brett Gardner, referencing the minor leaguer who played 33 games for the Yankees this year.

Berkman said initially he thought he hit his head because he was woozy, likening it to taking a hit in football.

The trainers later gave him smelling salts in the dugout, and he felt better. He changed from plastic to metal cleats after the inning. His biggest worry after the game was what a four-hour flight to Texas would do to his back.

“They may have to carry me off the plane,” he said.

With Teixeira done for the year, Berkman will start at first base. The mid-season acquisition knows he now has a greater role.

“As soon as he got hurt I knew I was going to be in there probably for the duration of these playoffs at first base,” he said. “I think that’s one of the reasons they traded for me because I can play first base.

Initially it may have been to give Mark a couple of days off in the regular season, but clearly if something happened like it did, I can step in there and play it.”