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The perils of pinch-hitting

Even though Gomez struggled at the plate, Gardenhire made the correct call not to pinch-hit for him. John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Editor's note: Hot Stove U. is a six-week course devoted to higher learning, a series consisting of 30 need-to-know topics for 2010.

The Setup

Game Two of the American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees is remembered most for Mark Teixeira's dramatic walk-off homer in the 11th inning. However, what happened in the top of that inning is more interesting.