Swisher Sits, Hariston Starts

Nick Swisher will not be in tonight's starting lineup for the Yankees. Joe Girardi has finally decided to sit his struggling right-fielder, who is just 11 of his last 77 (.143) with 1 homer and 4 RBI. If you ask me, it's about damn time. Jerry Hairston Jr., who is 10-for-27 against Pedro Martinez in his career, will start in his place.

“We like the way they kind of match up against each other and that shows in the numbers,” Girardi said.

“Like any other player, like I was when I didn’t start World Series games, I really want to be out there,” Girardi said. “But Swisher’s a team guy and he understands. I told him to be ready because you never know when we might need you and he said OK.”

Jose Molina will also start tonight. Here's the rest of the lineup: Derek Jeter SS, Johnny Damon LF, Mark Teixeira 1B, Alex Rodriguez 3B, Hideki Matsui DH, Robinson Cano 2B, Jerry Hairston RF, Melky Cabrera CF, Jose Molina C.