Orange County Register

ANAHEIM

Responding to Howie Kendrick’s near-cycle three-hit Game 3, Angels manager Mike Scioscia has him batting sixth today with Kendry Morales moving down a spot against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia.

Kendrick’s 9-for-15 career numbers against Sabathia (including one of the Angels’ four hits off the hefty lefty in Game 1 of this series) had something to do with it, too.

But Scioscia indicated Kendrick will be back on the bench in Game 5 Thursday when the Yankees are scheduled to start right-hander A.J. Burnett. Maicer Izturis has started at second base against right-handers, Kendrick against left-handers since Kendrick’s return from Triple-A in July and Scioscia doesn’t plan to change that now — even if Kendrick is 4 for 8 in the series.

“You never say never,” Scioscia said. “If it was a righty today, Izturis would be in there and he’ll probably be in there Thursday. Don’t forget, Izzy has had some big hits for us too.”

Yesterday’s hero, Jeff Mathis, is on the bench to start the game. Mike Napoli has caught all but one start by Scott Kazmir since the left-hander was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. Mathis will get the start in Game 5 with John Lackey scheduled to start.

The Game 4 lineups:

ANGELS

3B Chone Figgins

RF Bobby Abreu

CF Torii Hunter

DH Vladimir Guerrero

LF Juan Rivera

2B Howie Kendrick

1B Kendry Morales

C  Mike Napoli

SS Erick Aybar

LHP Scott Kazmir

YANKEES

SS Derek Jeter

LF Johnny Damon

1B Mark Teixeira

3B Alex Rodriguez

C  Jorge Posada

DH Hideki Matsui

2B Robinson Cano

RF Nick Swisher

CF Melky Cabrera

LHP CC Sabathia

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