OAKLAND – Orlando Hernandez’ season was one problem after another. A balky elbow interrupted spring training, and a toe operation robbed him of almost three months of the summer. Just when he appeared to be back in September, his right arm went dead. And his 4-7 record next to a 4.85 ERA told of a sour season.

Today, all that vanishes as El Duque has a chance to get the Yanks even in the best-of-five ALDS against the A’s.

If he can pitch well against Cory Lidle, the Yanks can force a Game 5 at the Stadium. No team has lost the first two games of a best-of-five series at home and won the series.

“We will have to wait until after the game,” Hernandez said when asked about his postseason experience helping him today. “I am ready, I am here to help this team. That’s it.”