Girardi implores Yankees to embrace spoiler role

NEW YORK — The Yankees recognize that they are heading for their third October in four years that will not include a playoff game, but manager Joe Girardi wants his club to embrace a spoiler role in the final three contests of the season.

The Orioles have something on the line as they arrive at Yankee Stadium, aiming to lock up an American League Wild Card spot. Mark Teixeira’s grand slam Wednesday kept the Red Sox from celebrating their AL East title on the field, and Girardi said he will be managing to win against Buck Showalter’s club as well.

“I think it’s important that we play the games the way they were meant to be played, as if they were the middle of the season or you were still fighting for the spot,” Girardi said.

Brett Gardner (leg stiffness) and Starlin Castro (right hamstring) were not in Friday’s lineup due to injury concerns.

“The last few weeks, we’ve just been running the same guys out there trying to fight to get back in this thing,” Gardner said. “It’s …

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