Cecil Fielder, New York’s overlooked slugger, was in the lineup for the first time in the AL division series Saturday night.
Fielder, who missed two months with a fractured thumb and played only 98 games this season, batted sixth as the Yankees’ designated hitter in New York’s 6-1 Game 3 victory over Cleveland.
Fielder was not a factor going 0 for 4 with a strikeout. He did not start either of the first two games at Yankee Stadium and was passed over in a pinch-hitting situation for Wade Boggs in Game 2.
“I think in this park, we’re going to need even more runs against their lineup,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said prior to the game.
The Indians also made a lineup change, sitting left-handed first baseman Jim Thome against Yankees lefty David Wells. Kevin Seitzer got the start at first base, batted second and also went 0 for 4.
Torre opted for defense in New York, playing Chad Curtis in left field and using Tim Raines as the designated hitter.
Fielder was the logical choice against Cleveland starter Charles Nagy. Going into Saturday’s game, Fielder was 16 for 48 (.333) with one homer in his career against Nagy and 4 for 6 this year. Raines, 14 for 31 (.452) career against Nagy, got the start over Curtis (3 for 35). Raines went 0 for 2 but drew two walks and scored twice.
“I wanted to work Cecil in at some time during the series,” Torre said. “And when you look at it, he’s had some pretty great numbers against Nagy. It gives us a little different look.”
Fielder was on the disabled list from July 16 to Sept. 16. He fractured his right thumb and tore a ligament sliding headfirst against the Indians on July 15.
Thome was 2 for 14 in his career against Wells and had not faced him this season. Seitzer overcame a late-season appendectomy and badly sprained ankle to make one final playoff run before retiring.
