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Closer Look Yankee changes make impact, but not with Knoblauch
By Josie Karp, CNNSI.com OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Yankees' clubhouse following the Game 2 Division Series victory against Oakland was full of smiles. That's what snapping an eight-game losing streak will do. Chuck Knoblauch's smile came through clenched teeth, more bemused than amused. That's what being benched will do. A trying season for Knoblauch -- the owner questioned his injury problems and his throwing accuracy disappeared -- got even more difficult in Wednesday's Game 2. Yankees manager Joe Torre had already relegated Knoblauch to designated hitter duties in the series opener in favor of Luis Sojo at second base. On Wednesday, Knoblauch was no longer the DH in favor Glenallen Hill. Knoblauch said Torre informed him of the decision before the game. "He had his mind made up, which is fine," Knoblauch said. "You've got to live with it, you have no choice. He's the manager, he writes the lineup out and whatever it says is what you live by, whether it's good or bad." The results of the move, one of several changes Torre made to the lineup, appear positive. Hill's sixth-inning single scored the Yankees' first run. Torre said he is not sure whether he'll stick with the same lineup for Game 3. But Knoblauch said he's sure he won't be playing. "I'm not here to make any ruffles. I'll do whatever I can off the bench, or whatever they want me to do," said Knoblauch, who went 1-for-4 at the plate in Game 1. "It's frustrating. You're used to being a starter and your role gets reduced. "But this is no time to worry about that. It's about winning and whatever. You can deal with that next season."
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