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New York • Alex Rodriguez watched the New York Yankees' biggest game of the year on the bench.
After being pinch hit for in Games 3 and 4 of the AL division series against the Baltimore Orioles, the $275 million third baseman was removed from the starting lineup for Game 5 on Friday.
"I'm not happy and obviously disappointed," Rodriguez said before the Yankees won 3-1 and advanced to an AL championship series against Detroit. "Want to be in there in the worst way."
Eric Chavez started at third base and went 0 for 3, while Game 3 star Raul Ibanez was the designated hitter and singled in the game's first run. It was the first time A-Rod didn't start a postseason game for his team since 1995.
Rodriguez was 2 for 16 (.125) with no RBIs in the series, going hitless in 12 at-bats against right-handed pitchers. He was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in the opener against Jason Hammel, Baltimore's Game 5 starter.
Chavez hit .298 against righties during the regular season but is 0 for 4 against them in the playoffs.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi contacted Rodriguez at about 1 p.m., before the 14-time All-Star arrived at Yankee Stadium, and informed him of the decision. Rodriguez took batting practice with the regular starters, not the reserves.
Braves • Atlanta extended general manager Fran Wren's contract through 2014 and promoted two other officials.
Wren took over from Schuerholz as the Braves' GM after the 2007 season. During his five-year tenure, Atlanta has made two playoff appearances but has yet to win in the postseason.