MINNEAPOLIS — John Hirschbeck, who was critical of fellow umpire Marty Foster’s explanation to Derek Jeter Monday at Yankee Stadium, added more fuel to the fire last night.
When Foster called Jeter out trying to steal third Monday against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium in the first inning with no outs, Jeter said the explanation he got from Foster was that third baseman Scott Rolen didn’t have to tag Jeter because the ball beat a sliding Jeter to the bag.
Jeter was irate at the explanation and manager Joe Girardi got ejected over the play. Hirschbeck was puzzled as to why Foster would give that explanation.
Last night at Citi Field, where he worked the Mets-Dodgers game, Hirschbeck back-tracked a bit.
Hirschbeck spoke to Foster yesterday and got a different version. Here’s what Hirschbeck said Foster told Jeter at the time: “The ball beat you, and I had him tagging you. I don’t see a problem with that. Sometimes when tempers flare, you don’t hear everything that’s said.”
*
With the Twins starting lefty Glen Perkins tonight, it’s possible Alex Rodriguez will move Hideki Matsui out of the DH spot.
When Joe Girardi gave Rodriguez off this Sunday, he said he would be looking at using his cleanup hitter as the DH in one of the three games at the Metrodome. Since Rodriguez, who was hitting .385 (15-for-39) with five homers and 16 RBIs in his last dozen games, was at third last night, that leaves tonight and tomorrow.
“With the lefty [tonight] there are a couple of things we can do,” Girardi said.
If Rodriguez is the DH tonight, Matsui’s red-hot bat would be relegated to a pinch-hitting role, a job he is 4-for-13 (.308) in.
In Matsui’s last seven games (six starts), he is 10-for-21 (.476) with three homers and 11 RBIs. And he hasn’t been a slouch against lefties since eight of his 13 homers have been hit off them.
*
When the Yankees summoned Francisco Cervelli from Double-A in early May to take Jorge Posada’s place, Cervelli was going to back up Jose Molina. After three days, Molina joined Posada on the DL and the 23-year-old Cervelli was asked to do a lot more than anybody ever expected.
Now, after Cervelli has started 23 games, Girardi believes Cervelli has what it takes to be a front-line catcher in the big leagues.
“I think he has a chance to be a No. 1,” said Girardi, a starting big league catcher with the Rockies and Yankees.
Cervelli started last night against the Twins at the Metrodome, catching CC Sabathia and going 2-for-4 and driving in two runs. However, if Molina (quad injury) made it through a rehab assignment last night at Trenton, he is expected to come off the DL tonight. Since the Yankees aren’t going to carry three catchers, Cervelli will be sent out.
“Cervy has shown he can play at this level,” Girardi said of the fourth youngest catcher to start a game in the big leagues this year, who entered last night’s action batting .269 with a homer and nine RBIs. “He brings a lot to the table, I am very excited about his future.”
*
With Alfredo Aceves deleted from the bullpen last night and tonight so he can start tomorrow, the Yankees were left without a long man. Aceves was that and more, throwing four scoreless innings Sunday.
Girardi said Brett Tomko and Jonathan Albaladejo “could give you multiple innings.”
*
Xavier Nady will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow today.
Golfer Rich Beem, who won the 2002 PGA at nearby Hazeltine National, visited with Andy Pettitte in the Yankees’ dugout last night. Beem is in the area and Hazeltine is hosting the PGA Championship next month.
Prior to the game, Beem took batting practice against Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.
*
A.J. Burnett (7-4; 3.83 ERA) faces LHP Glen Perkins (4-4; 4.38) tonight. Aceves (5-1; 2.03) draws RHP Swarzak (2-2; 3.90) tomorrow.
