Alex Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees in 2004.
Alex Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees in 2004. Reuters

After pinch-hitting for him in the last two games, Joe Girardi has benched Alex Rodriguez in the Yankees Game Five matchup against the Orioles.

The third baseman has struggled immensely in the 2012 playoffs. In four games, he’s hitting just .125 with no extra-base hits.

Rodriguez is hitless against right-handed pitchers this series, going 0-12 with nine strikeouts. With Baltimore starting right-hander Jason Hammel, left-handed batter Eric Chavez will get the start at third baseman.

Rodriguez has been criticized for his postseason performance, ever since he was traded to New York in 2004. His struggles have been even worse over the past few years. Since 2010, he’s hitting .167 in the postseason.

The future Hall of Famer had started each of the previous four games, hitting third in the lineup. Rodriquez sits despite having good numbers against Hammel. He's 8-22 against the Baltimore starter in his career.

Raul Ibanez hit the game-tying and game-winning home runs in Game Three, after replacing Rodriguez. He gets the Game Five start at designated hitter.

Most of the Yankees hitters have underperformed in this year’s playoffs. Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher are a combined 3-31 with 12 strikeouts. New York is hitting just .216 as a team in the ALDS.

Major league baseball