Girardi thinks Nuñez is past fielding problems

BALTIMORE -- No, Joe Girardi said, this isn't going to be the same Eduardo Nuñez in the field as last season.

Nuñez, who started at third base Monday night with Alex Rodriguez the DH, had a rough first game Saturday. He booted a ground ball hit to him by the game's first batter, Desmond Jennings, leading to a pair of unearned runs in the 8-6 loss.

"I thought he got over it last year, I did," Girardi said of Nuñez, who had a team-worst 20 errors in 2011. "But I think when it happens the first game he plays, people think he's right back in it. I personally don't think he is. Time will tell."

In the fourth last night, Nuñez likely saved a run with a diving catch ofWilson Betemit's two-out line drive.

Girardi said it was a good sign that A-Rod came through the three games in St. Petersburg feeling healthy. "To get three days on the turf for Alex is good because that's not something we always do a lot," he said. "I feel good about where Alex is, feel good about where Nunie is."