What’s the reason for Yankees manager, Joe Girardi’s strange lineup last week against th Kansas City Royals.

Hideki Matsui ws put in right field. Alex Rodriguez was pushed up to third rather than acting as the usual cleanup hitter, Jorge Posada was placed as the fourth hitter. Robinson Cano was assigned as the seventh hitter rather than the sixth. Morgan Ensberg started at first base. Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi were placed on the bench.

So what’s the reason for all of this shifting? Girardi said that he was trying to readjust things to face left-handed pitcher John Bale. He also said he wanted to rest Abreu.

Whatever his reasons, the result was broke a slump by the Yankees, scoring big and making 12 hits. It was a win that the team seemed to need, preventing a malaise that could have hurt their entire early season.

Pettite also had a great game. Peter Abraham reports:

“Pettitte went 6 2/3 innings, allowing five hits with two walks and one strikeout. Pitching on the road for the first time since admitting that he used Human Growth Hormone, Pettitte received little abuse from the small crowd of 16,143 beyond a handful of fans chanting “HGH” in the second inning.”

It’s good news for a struggling team. It might encourage us New York baseball fans to be more proactive at buying Yankee tickets.