Game 66: Yankees vs. Rangers

If the Yankees lineup looks a little strange to you tonight, imagine how Nick Swisher felt when his cell phone buzzed with a text message from Joe Girardi this afternoon, giving him the heads-up that he’d be leading off for the first time since 2008.

Swisher stared at the phone quizzically and showed it to his wife, actress Joanna Garcia, before shrugging and texting back, “I’m all for it.”

Girardi said he based the decision on Swisher’s career on-base percentage against lefties (.401), as well as his 2011 on-base percentage facing southpaws (.438). It’s a tough break for Brett Gardner, who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI last night, but Gardner figures he’ll probably get into the game eventually if Andruw Jones comes out of left field.

Busy, busy day in the roster moves department. Adding right-hander Cory Wade to the roster was a little bit of a surprise, announced about a half hour before first pitch, as Kevin Whelan heads to Triple-A. Rafael Soriano was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room, which puts his target date in mid-July; Soriano has barely played catch and isn’t near a mound yet.

They’re also still planning to put righty Brian Gordon on the roster tomorrow, and it’s down to Gordon or Hector Noesi to make that start. Girardi said they might not have that all settled until late tonight.

Anyway, it’s a beautiful night here in the Bronx, about 80 degrees with a cool breeze and perfectly clear. Here are the lineups:

RANGERS (36-32)
Ian Kinsler 2B
Elvis Andrus SS
Josh Hamilton LF
Michael Young DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Nelson Cruz RF
Mitch Moreland 1B
Yorvit Torrealba C
Endy Chavez CF

Pitching: Derek Holland LHP (5-1, 4.41)

YANKEES (37-28)
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Andruw Jones LF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Francisco Cervelli C
Ramiro Pena 3B

Pitching: Ivan Nova RHP (5-4, 4.30)