Alex Rodriguez, 1-for-11 with no RBIs in the AL playoffs and stuck in a prolonged October slump, was dropped to the eighth spot in New York's batting order on Saturday as the Yankees tried to avoid being eliminated by the Detroit Tigers. It's the lowest A-Rod batted since May 7, 1996, when he was a 20-year-old shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. Jason Giambi -- 1-for-8 in the series -- was dropped from the Yankees' starting lineup for Game 4, and Gary Sheffield was back at first and in the cleanup spot after sitting on Friday. Looking for an offensive spark, Yankees manager Joe Torre had Melky Cabrera in left field and batting ninth. Hideki Matsui was moved from left to designated hitter.