YANKEE NOTES
CHICAGO – Is Joe Torre practicing blind faith because he really doesn’t have an alternative? Or does he see something a lot of other people – including respected scouts – don’t when it comes to Bernie Williams’ weak hack?
Following Williams’ 0-for-4 Monday night in the Yankees’ 6-3 loss to the White Sox in 10 innings, Williams entered last night’s action in a 9-for-55 (.164) funk that had the career .308 hitter’s average at an embarrassing .257.
What happens if the 35-year-old Williams’ slide continues through Sunday? With the ALDS opening Tuesday at the Stadium, likely against the Twins, would Torre consider sitting Williams and playing Hideki Matsui in center and Juan Rivera in left? It doesn’t sound that way.
“When Bernie gets into at-bats he is fine,” Torre said of Williams who didn’t get the ball out of the infield Monday night and hit into a rally-killing 6-4-3 double play in the eighth.
Williams isn’t the only struggling Yankee. Jason Giambi has one hit in 13 at-bats and his hitting .249. Still, Torre believes Williams and Giambi will be there when needed the most.
“I have confidence they will hit when we need them to hit,” Torre said. “I am not concerned.”
*
The only thing Torre hasn’t done is officially announce Mike Mussina as his Game 1 ALDS starter Tuesday. Torre wasn’t going to announce his rotation until after the Yankees clinched the AL East.
“When there is something to talk about we will talk about it,” said Mussina, who is 20-2 against the Twins. He will pitch Game 1 and Game 5, if necessary.
Torre said he will go with a four-man rotation. After Mussina, it likely will be Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and David Wells.
*
Torre said Jeff Weaver wasn’t auditioning for the 10th spot on the team’s post-season staff Monday night when he walked Frank Thomas and gave up a game-winning homer to Magglio Ordonez in the 10th inning.
“He wasn’t auditioning but it wasn’t good,” Torre said of Weaver, who will likely lose out to right-hander Antonio Osuna for the final bullpen spot. “”I am still high on his ability but his confidence has suffered.”