Sierra delivers in a pinch after Torre burns DH

Turning Point

	Ruben Sierra came through with a clutch RBI single during the Yankees' two-run rally. AP

Ruben Sierra had been the odd man out of Joe Torre's lineup this postseason, getting only one at-bat heading into Game 4 of their division series against the Angels. Torre had opted for defensive upgrades in center field (Bobby Crosby) or first base (Tino Martinez) that pushed Sierra onto the bench.

Trailing 2-1 in the seventh inning with runners on and one out, defense is not what the situation called for. So Torre brought in Sierra to bat for Crosby (hitless in five at-bats this series), even though the longtime Yankees skipper knew it would mean giving up his DH for the rest of game -- and no team this side of the Red Sox needs its DH spot more than the burly Yankees.

"I knew losing the DH, ya know, Mariano [Rivera] was going to pitch two innings," explained Torre. "I didn't want to put Ruben out there [in the field]."

The veteran switch-hitter delivered with a line-drive single to right field, and the Yankees scored the tying run thanks to aggressive, if not careless, baserunning by rookie Robinson Cano, who nearly pulled a Jeremy Giambi by not sliding into home plate. One batter later, Derek Jeter drove in the winning run on a slow grounder to third baseman Chone Figgins. Jorge Posada charged home and, unlike Cano, remembered to slide as the tag was applied a hair late by catcher Bengie Molina. With Mariano Rivera already warming up for the last six outs, it was time to warm up the bus and begin that overnight commute to Anaheim for Game 5.

From the Bench

The Yankees played the final two innings without the DH -- Rivera was penciled into the No. 3 hole upon entering the game -- because removing Crosby for Sierra left Williams, who started as the DH, as Torre's only center fielder. ... Where has Casey Kotchman been all series? The Angels have only two hitters with an OPS above .800 this season: Vladimir Guerrero (.959) and Kotchman (.836). The kid has taken all of two at-bats this series while we have to watch Darin Erstad get blown away by Al Leiter every night. Here is what the Yankees' new situational lefty has done against Erstad this series:

   Game 1 (7th inning) -- strikeout swinging
   Game 2 (8th inning) -- popout to third base
   Game 3 (7th inning) -- strikeout swinging
   Game 4 (7th inning) -- 6-4-3 double play

Clubhouse Confidential

The Angels decided not to pitch ace Bartolo Colon on full rest in Game 4, preferring instead to give the right-hander another day off for a possible Game 5 start and going with John Lackey on three days' rest. "John was strong and finished strong," Mike Scioscia said. "That was a heck of a game he pitched. Unfortunately, it was a night when a guy matched him pitch-for-pitch." Of course, Colon was already back in California, along with Yankees Game 5 starter Mike Mussina, by the time the final decision was made. ... As the players boarded buses for the airport, a clearly visible sign read, "Manny is playing golf today. This is better."

Bottom Line

The Yankees knocked Colon around in Game 1 and Mussina has had five days of rest since beating the Angels in the series opener, so the Bronx Bombers have to feel confident heading into Game 5. On the other hand, the Yankees had to ask Rivera to go two innings in Game 4 and the Angels haven't had to use their ace reliever, Francisco Rodriguez, since Friday's Game 3. The decisive game will come down to which team gets its closer the lead.