Cervelli gets nod to catch A.J. in Game 4

Jorge Posada began last night's crucial Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on the bench as manager Joe Girardi decided to use Francisco Cervelli behind the plate with A.J. Burnett on the mound.

With the Yankees trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, Girardi was hoping Cervelli's presence would help the erratic Burnett, who had 16 days off with the exception of a simulated game last Wednesday.

But the Yankees have not been hitting lately, and the dropoff from Posada to Cervelli at the plate is severe. Posada hit .248 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs during the regular season; Cervelli was at .271-0-38.

"Those two have been together, and it was not a difficult process," Girardi said of Cervelli and Burnett. "We talked about it, and we decided to go with Cervy. Cervy caught the simulated game. Cervy has caught a lot of his ballgames and has played well for us."

In the regular season, Burnett had a 4.66 ERA with Cervelli catching and a 7.28 ERA pitching to Posada. Burnett threw 1291/3 innings to Cervelli, 381/3 to Posada and the rest to Chad Moeller.

On Monday, Burnett said: "I have no worries Jorge can handle me. I know he can handle me. Whoever is behind the plate, I'll be ready for it."

Posada, on the field before the game, said: "It's tough not to play, period. But it is what it is. I'm OK. Get a win, that's it. I'll be prepared.''

Posada had started the Yankees' previous six postseason games. He pinch hit for Cervelli in the seventh and struck out and grounded out in the ninth. He is batting 2-for-12 in the ALCS after going 3-for-11 in the Yankees' sweep of Minnesota in the Division Series.

"Being a catcher for years and understanding sometimes what it was like to be the backup catcher where you caught the same guy all the time, I believe in that catcher-pitcher relationship that people are able to form,'' Girardi said. "It really had nothing to do with offense.''

Jose Molina caught every one of Burnett's five starts in the 2009 postseason. Burnett was terrific in the three home games (1-0, 1.86) and less so in his road outings (0-1, 13.50).

Posada entered as a pinch hitter for Molina in all five games. But it's not the same as being there at the beginning.

"Jorge wants to play every day," Girardi said. "That's the bottom line. And when you've been an everyday player, your heart tells you one thing and your mind tells you another. It's not always the easiest thing to accept. But Jorge is a team player and Jorge will be ready for us.''

Burnett allowed five runs and six hits in six innings, the big blow being Bengie Molina's three-run homer in the sixth. Burnett struck out four and walked three.

Cervelli, meanwhile, went 0-for-2. He grounded to third in the third and struck out looking to end the fourth.