Berkman, taking over at first base, takes a fall

Lance Berkman was just about to settle under Ian Kinsler's foul pop in the fourth inning yesterday when his feet went out from under him.

"I felt like I hit an ice rink," said Berkman, who replaced the injured Mark Teixeira at first base. "Next thing I know, I'm looking at the sky."

Joe Girardi and trainer Steve Donohue tended to Berkman, who nearly landed flat on his back and skidded several feet into the padded wall. "I hurt pretty much my entire backside, from the top of the head to the rear end area," said Berkman, who was dazed enough to receive smelling salts in the dugout. "That brought me around quickly," he said.

Berkman knew what it meant when he saw Teixeira grab his right hamstring trying to beat out a potential double-play ball in Game 4. He ended up suffering a Grade 2 strain. "As soon as he got hurt I knew I was probably going to be in there for the duration of these playoffs at first base," Berkman said. "I think that's one of the reasons they traded for me because I can play first base."

Berkman was 0-for-2 with a walk yesterday but had a sacrifice fly in the fifth. "I always feel like I have a fighting chance," he said. "I feel good. I'm seeing the ball well."

Wood chops another

For the second time this series, Kerry Wood picked off a runner. In Game 1 he got Ian Kinsler, and yesterday it was Elvis Andrus, who reached in the seventh on an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Wood then picked him off, with Derek Jeter applying the tag. Said Wood, "I just had a feeling he might be taking off."

Nuñez gets call

To replace Teixeira on the 25-man roster, the Yankees brought up INF Eduardo Nuñez, who had been working out and playing in Tampa. "He can play anywhere in the infield if needed," Girardi said. "He can pinch run."