Rookie Montero gets second start in row

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Rookie catcher Jesus Montero got his second straight start against a righthander last night. "You want to see more,'' Joe Girardi said Friday of starting Montero against Angels ace Jered Weaver.

Montero, who batted fifth Saturday night, showed plenty against Weaver, launching his third home run since his Sept. 1 callup deep into the seats in left. It was one of the Yankees' three hits off Weaver in a 2-1 loss. Montero also lined to right and was robbed of a hit in the eighth.

The decision to keep playing Montero has been easy. The Yankees were hopeful the 21-year-old would show enough to earn a spot on the postseason roster as an option against lefties. His inclusion likely would come at the expense of Jorge Posada, who has played sparingly since Montero arrived.

Montero was 3-for-10 against righthanders, with all three hits home runs. He was 4-for-10 against lefties. "He's having good swings, that's the bottom line, whether they're against righthanders or lefthanders,'' Girardi said.

Montero said Friday that Girardi's faith in him against righties increased his confidence. "It makes me feel good because it gives me more opportunities,'' he said.

Cervelli out again

For the second straight game Francisco Cervelli was in the lineup, then scratched. He was involved in two home plate collisions Thursday in Baltimore, and Girardi said the catcher was showing "concussion symptoms.'' He underwent tests before the game.

Dead arm for Logan

Lefty reliever Boone Logan talked of having a "dead arm'' after Friday's game, in which he did not appear, so Girardi said he intended to give him a second straight night off.