8 points, while Jessica Ennis-Hill was absent, not ready f

BOSTON -- Manager Joe Girardi turned down Alex Rodriguezs request to play third base in his final game as a Yankee on Friday in the Bronx.Tuesday, I came into his office, Rodriguez said. He told me what the plan was and I said, Well, any chance I could play third base on Friday? He just said no.A-Rod started at third base twice last year. He has not played the field at all this season.We thought about it, but he hasnt done any work, Girardi said. We are still in the business of trying to win games.Rodriguez started at DH, going 0-for-4 with an RBI in the eighth inning of a 4-2 win over the?Boston Red Sox?in what was A-Rods final road game with the Yankees.For Friday, the Yankees (58-56, 3.5 games back in the wild card) have pushed back the start time of their game with the Tampa Bay Rays from 7:10 p.m. ET to 7:35 to host a pregame ceremony.Chris Archer will start for the Rays. A-Rod has two hits, both homers, in 15 at-bats against Archer.After Fridays game, Rodriguez, 41, will be released. He has agreed to become a special adviser to team owner Hal Steinbrenner, but he has refused to rule out playing for another team if someone calls.As for not playing third base Friday, which A-Rod first revealed on the Michael Kay Show on 98.7 FM in New York, the slugger took it in stride.It would have just been fun, Rodriguez said. Look, it wasnt a big request. I get that we are playing games. I totally get the answer.This is my last day, I would hope that a couple of balls didnt hit me in the mouth. It was a fun request.Rodriguez tried to play down any dissension.I wouldnt make a big deal about it, Rodriguez said in front of his locker before Thursdays game. They are probably saving me some embarrassment.Rodriguez pinch hit Wednesday, flying out to left in the seventh. He was booed.It was louder than usual, Rodriguez said. One last lick before I go back to Miami.Rodriguez lives in Miami, leading to speculation he could end up with the?Marlins. He said if he ever decides to play for another team, he will first consult with Steinbrenner.When asked directly if he views Friday as his last game as a Yankee or his last game ever, A-Rod was fully clear with his intentions.Im focusing on this is it, Rodriguez said. Im not looking beyond that. I value pinstripes. I value this organization. To me, this is it.Ecco Shoes Outlet Ireland . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Cheap Ecco Shoes Ireland . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. http://www.cheapeccoireland.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Ecco Shoes Shop Ireland . PAUL, Minn. Ecco Shoes Sale Online Ireland . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset.Britains Katarina Johnson-Thompson moved a step closer to qualifying for the Rio Olympics after shining in Gotzis on day one of the heptathlon.The 23-year-old, looking to bounce back from the agony of last years World Championships when three fouls in the long jump dashed her medal hopes, was in fine form after recording three personal bests (PB) to leave her in second place at the Hypo-Meeting.She excelled in the 100 metres hurdles, high jump and 200m to build a total of 3932 points on Saturday. She trailed Canadas Brianne Theisen-Eaton, the world indoor champion, by 40 points, with the long jump, javelin and 800m to come on Sunday.The Liverpool athlete needed 2,268 more points to get the Olympic qualifying standard of 6,200.That looked comfortably achievable, with her overnight score nine more than it was when she set her overall PB of 6,682 points on the way to winning in Gotzis in 2014.Fellow Briton Morgan Lake, however, ended a disappointing day in 29th place on 3,498 points, while Jessica Ennis-Hill was absent, not ready for a heptathlon following her Achilles injury.Johnson-Thompson got her day off in Austria to a perfect start with an equal PB in the 100m hurdles of 13.37 seconds before she cleared 1.dddddddddddd92m in the high jump, an outdoor PB. Johnson-Thompson clocked a personal best in the 100m hurdles Having lead the competition after two events, a poor showing in the shot put - her best throw of 11.55m was the worst in the field and well below the 13.14m PB she set earlier this month - saw her drop to sixth overall.But she responded brilliantly to clock 22.79secs in the 200m, the final event of the first day, to win her race ahead of Theisen-Eaton and was well-placed to lay down a serious marker ahead of Rio.Johnson-Thompson told the BBC: This is my first big competition, especially after a knee operation last autumn, so I just want 6,200 points and to be injury free and to be going home with my ticket for the Olympics.Also See:Ennis-Hill has sights on RioHealth experts say Rio should be cancelledJohnson-Thompson woe at worldsBritish Athletics website ' ' '