Yanks confident Solarte will get going at plate

OAKLAND -- The Yankees are not ready to push the panic button on Yangervis Solarte, who entered Sunday's game hitless in his last 16 at-bats.

"I think he'll get going. I think it's just kind of what you go through as a hitter," manager Joe Girardi said. "The West Coast hasn't been real kind to him, so he's probably glad we're going home after today. You kind of go through it. He'll be fine."

Solarte got the nod at second base for the second consecutive day on Sunday, as the Yankees try to give Brian Roberts (sore right knee) extra rest leading into Monday's off-day.

Girardi said that he prefers to play Solarte at second base over Kelly Johnson, who started at third base, because most of Johnson's defensive attention has been focused at the infield corners.

"Kelly really hasn't done a lot of work at second this year," Girardi said. "Solo has done a little bit more, and that's kind of why we stuck with it."