Still 5 Down, 6 To Go

Anaheim, CA (WFAN)  -- Before we get to the baffling pitching moves and even more baffling personnel changes in last nite's game, let's start with one fact.

The New York Yankees offense consisted of four solo home runs. THAT is not going to get it done. Derek Jeter kept going back to this part of the game, probably because he didn't want to answer all the "why did Joe do such and such" questions for an hour. The Yankees were 0-8 with RISP, and are 3-28 in the series. If they hit...Joe Girardi would've had a much easier post game.

That being said, Joe Girardi's overmanaging left his team responding with a lot of curt answers to questions, but here is what I gleaned last nite from inside the clubhouse..

1. Andy Pettitte was surprised when Girardi came out to the mound in the middle of the AB to Vladamir Guerrero. Pettitte has been doing this a long time...and as his former catcher, Girardi should know that breaking his concentration is never a good thing.

2. Bringing in the two lefties back to back on consecutive hitters was baffling move number two. Why bring in Marte to get a lefty to end an inning and then burn your only other lefty in the next inning on the first batter. I asked Girardi this, and he said , "Cokie has been used in that situation all year" I asked.."Did you think of bringing in Coke to begin with to end the other inning." "No...I wanted Marte there." "Then, why not let Marte start the next inning?" "Because we haven't had him get up and down in consecutive innings." OK....which brings me back to the question, "Why not let Coke get both batters?" THAT is the question that was never answered.

3. Jerry Hairston replacing Johnny Damon in left? Hairston might have a better arm than does Damon, but it's not exactly a Dave Winfield arm. I was a bit surprised. It's not THAT much of a throwing upgrade.

4. Freddy Guzman vs. Eric Hinske? Girardi got burned on this roster spot...you can't use a pinch runner unless you have men on base...Hinske's bat was sorely missed last nite. Over thinking by Girardi and /or whomever made that decision for the second round.

5. David Robertson looked as if he were the most surprised person in the ballpark when Joe Girardi signaled for Alfredo Aceves. The telling shot by FOX...the one that probably sums up the entire game for Girardi...was right before this move, when the cameras showed Girardi going through a behemoth book...obviously scouting reports. Now, I don't need a scouting book to tell me that Robertson has been a far better pitcher for the last month than has Aceves. Matchups are fine, but somehow your eyes should be a better barometer for these kinds of moves. Robertson was terrific...end of statement.

If you listen to the broadcasts, you'll remember that I've said that there is always someone that you don't think about who turns out to be the hero in playoff games. Ladies and Gentlemen: Meet Jeff Mathis.

Good thing about Game 3? It's over, and Game 4 comes up in less than 7 hours with CC Sabathia against Scott Kazmir. This is not the Kazmir with the desvastating slider of a couple of years ago. He has been hittable. CC on three days rest? He thinks he'll be fine...he'll be my guest on the pregame tonite, so you can hear him talk about this start himself!