Teixeira's D helps make up for slump

ANAHEIM -- At some point, you figure the bat of Mark Teixeira will be resuscitated in this American League Championship Series.

For as Teixeira said about a rejuvenated Vladimir Guerrero following Game 3, "You're not going to keep good hitting down."

When it comes to Teixeira, however, he can make a plenty big impact on the success of the Yankees without his normally potent offense.

Teixeira is not just a good defender, but a superb one, as evidenced by the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards he won in 2005-06.

Yankees at a glance 2009 record: 103-59 2008 record: 89-73 AL champions World Series matchup: Phillies at Yankees Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Girardi: Confident in moves • Vet quartet: On the verge • Damon: Got his groove back • Teixeira: D offsets slump • Rivera: Has no equal • Robertson: Invaluable • Jeter: Legend grows • Teixeira: Dependable • Girardi: Fresh cup o' Joe • Damon: What, me worry? • Rivera: Stoic and steady • Gardner: Finds his niche • Teixeira: Fully adjusted • Hughes: Difference-maker • Chamberlain: Happy in 'pen • Jeter: Ready to lead • Sabathia: Deserves Game 1 • Swisher: A year wiser • A-Rod: Nothing to lose More Yankees coverage • Stars 'n' Pinstripes: Yanks earn AL flag CC's two gems net ALCS MVP American, Top 40: Title extends NYY mark Yankees stand in Phillies' path to history Jeter fine despite cough After review, Posada realizes miscue Night-and-Day-Rod Burnett staying cool with shot at Series Bauman: Yanks' payoff is playoff success Behind CC, Yanks one win from pennant A-Rod homers in third straight game Umpires shaky on several Game 4 calls Girardi: No regrets after Game 3 Despite four homers, Yanks fall Thrilling 10th highlights Game 3 Girardi's decisions draw questions Bauman: Girardi's moves backfire Yanks, Halos combine for six homers Posada returns to lineup Who will benefit from CC's short rest? Up 2-0, Yankees in good position Sabathia to get the call in Game 4 A-Rod flips from 'rock bottom' to Rocktober Postseason perfection continues in Game 2 Bauman: A timeless classic A-Rod rises to occasion Girardi pens 2-0 lead in ALCS Neighborhood non-call the 'right call' CC, Yanks take what Angels give them Close call at first goes Yanks' way Fielding miscues cost Angels Burnett ready for weight of Game 2 start Late homers push Yankees to sweep Pettitte panels past playoff greatness A-Rod earns respect with RISP performance Swisher excited about sweep, ALCS Punto's slipup a gift for Yankees Teixeira, Yankees set for Halos Yankees pleased to be back, but not content New York City buzzing after comeback Twins' turf advantageous heading into Game 3 A-Rod letting results come to him Yankees' faith in bullpen won't waver Pettitte has no plans of allowing Game 4 Backs to wall, Twins do not blame call Swisher confident with chance to sweep Two much: A-Rod, Tex topple Twins A-Rod has everyone on notice with rebirth Houdini act sets up Teixeira's heroics Eyes on Molina catching Burnett Posada planning to contribute off bench Wang happy to experience playoffs CC in midseason form as Yanks roll Jeter ties Reggie, Mick on homer list 'Little things' help A-Rod solve October Even in playoffs, Matsui defying age Playoffs return to Bronx in new venue Posada, Sabathia have signals mixed Girardi sticks with what works in lineup Catcher debate no excuse for Burnett First postseason at new stadium historic

While Mariano Rivera's great escape in the 10th inning of Game 3 -- runners at the corners with nobody out in a tie game -- was impressive, it would not have been possible without Teixeira's glove work.

In particular, he made a dazzling snare down the line to rob Chone Figgins of a walk-off hit for the first out of the 10th, pump-faking as if he was going to throw to the plate, which froze Jeff Mathis at third. Teixeira then tapped the bag with his glove for the out. He also got Torii Hunter's groundout and fired to the plate for the force, and ranged to his right to snag Guerrero's ground ball and raced to the bag to end the inning. Though the Yankees lost the game in 11 innings, Teixeira gave them another crack thanks to his work in the 10th.

"It was getting busy over there," said Teixeira of his glove work in the 10th. "That was an incredible job by Mo coming in and getting it done there. He never ceases to amaze you."

But the same has been true of Teixeira, who normally doesn't get a lot of notice for his defense because of his status as an elite hitter.

"He's outstanding," said Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. "He saved [Game 3] a couple of times. Tex is a great player and we're happy to have him here."

The Angels were the beneficiaries late last summer of not just Teixeira's big bat, but his stingy glove, as well.

"I think when he's struggling at the plate, he's one of the players in this league that's not going to take a pitch off defensively," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He's going to be in every game, because it's two separate parts of what he brings. I can't tell you how impressed we were just seeing him up close in the couple months we had him last year. Just how hard he works on his defense, how much pride he takes in it, and the difference maker he is."

First base is usually a position for the sluggers, which Teixeira is. But what is far more uncommon at first is to also be a defensive standout.

"[It's] a position where it's probably a little tougher to be a difference-maker than if you play shortstop, center field, catcher or second base," Scioscia said. "But he certainly is. And he takes pride and works harder, and he's obviously had a major impact on a lot of situations that have already happened in just the three games we've played them on the defensive side."

Offensively speaking, Teixeira went just 1-for-13 in the first three games of the ALCS. In his first six games of this postseason, he is hitting .120 (3-for-25), though one of his hits was a walk-off homer to beat the Twins in Game 2 of the AL Division Series.

"I tried to do the best I can out there. I haven't been getting it done offensively," Teixeira said. "When I can step up and play solid defense, it really helps the team out."

Until the hits start coming, the Yankees expect Teixeira will keep playing top-notch defense.

"Well, I mean there's a lot of ways that you can win a ballgame," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "It just doesn't always have to be with your bat. Tex has saved us defensively during this series a number of times. ... He's another guy that the law of averages is he's going to start getting some base hits. And [Game 4] would be a great night to start. But if it doesn't, I know in my heart that it's going to happen."