TORONTO — Joe Girardi and Joe Torre talked after Saturday’s game and will have another conversation about the blocking-the-plate rule that dominated Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
“We will have a chance to talk when we get [home],’’ Girardi said. “I still think there is confusion on that rule.’’
Girardi would prefer something in writing instead of just being told what the catcher and runner can or can’t do at the plate. The rule states the catcher can’t block the plate without the ball. Girardi believed Josh Thole did that when Francisco Cervelli was called out trying to score from second. Girardi also believed Cervelli was safe.
“I can say I thought they were incorrect in both situations. But last year I wouldn’t even have had an opportunity to do that,’’ Girardi said. “We are further ahead than last year but I think there is confusion, too. I think it was a rule brought upon and agreed to late and I don’t know if anything’s been completely ironed out with it. In my mind it hasn’t because of what happened [Saturday].’’
The Yankees are 14-2 in home openers since 1998 going into Monday’s first game at Yankee Stadium. They are 3-2 in the current Stadium.
Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera will throw the ceremonial first pitches and Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter will catch them.
Jacoby Ellsbury batted third for the 12th time in his career Sunday with Brett Gardner leading off. Ellsbury went 1-for-5 and Gardner 1-for-4 and hit the Yankees’ first homer of the season.
“I want them both in the top of the order that we have in there,’’ said Girardi, who gave Carlos Beltran the day off.
Beltran hit third in the previous five games.
Considering Ellsbury’s strong start, would Girardi consider leaving him third?
“I worry about [Sunday], not worrying about [Monday],’’ Girardi said. “But I will on the plane.’’
Alfonso Soriano’s single to right leading off the fifth inning ended a season-starting 0-for-17 slide. Soriano went 1-for-3 and was hit by a pitch.
Yangervis Solarte’s bid to be the AL Player of the Week kept going with an RBI double in the three-run fourth. Solarte, a non-roster invite to spring training who beat out Eduardo Nunez, is batting .471 (8-for-17) with five RBIs and five doubles.
Mark Teixeira will have an MRI exam Monday on the right hamstring he injured Friday. Teixeira was placed on the 15-day DL Saturday.