Berkman moves from second to seventh in batting order

In search of a permanent home for Lance Berkman in the Yankees' batting order, Joe Girardi dropped him from second to seventh for last night's game against the Blue Jays. And he plans to keep Berkman there for the time being.

"Maybe he won't try to do too much - I'm not saying he was - but it's just we thought we would put him there until we get him going," Girardi said, "and we get used to who he is, too."

Berkman, who typically hit third or fourth with the Houston Astros, said he couldn't remember if he has ever hit seventh during his major-league career. According to baseball-reference.com, he's done it seven times.

"I've hit sixth before, I know that," Berkman said. "I also can't remember the last time I was on a team with like eight Hall of Famers, so that has a lot to do with it. Those guys, they're driving the train. I'm just trying to help where I can."

Berkman drove in his first run as a Yankee last night with a sixth-inning single.

Posada honors Munson

The Yankees held a moment of silence right before last night's game to honor the 31st anniversary of Thurman Munson's death, and Jorge Posada paid homage by keeping the area behind home plate vacant.

Posada said he wrote Munson's No. 15 on his helmet last year on this day, but he said, "I got in trouble." He said he was told not to do it, though he declined to say who told him that.

Posada has always felt an emotional connection to the former Yankees catcher. He said he has watched videos of Munson and likes his work ethic and no-excuses attitude.

Posada has kept in touch with Munson's widow, Diana, and said he still gets chills thinking back to a conversation he had with her many years ago.

"She said she stopped watching baseball," Posada said, "and then when I was here, she started watching again because I reminded her of him."

Extra bases

Hank's Yanks, the 18-and-under baseball team of Long Islanders funded by Hank Steinbrenner, is playing a team from Washington Heights sponsored by Mariano Rivera - Mariano Rivera Jr. is a team member - Tuesday at Babylon High School.