Jays modify lineup ‘ just to shake it up’

No panic despite four losses in last five games

• Blue Jays manager John Gibbons continues to tinker with the starting lineup like a mad scientist. A laid- back mad scientist.

For the third straight game at Yankee Stadium, Gibbons penned in a different starting nine, though he told reporters prior to Wednesday’s game against New York not to read too much into the new lineup which saw Jose Bautista drop down to the cleanup spot (batting fourth) and Devon Travis leading off. Bautista batted second on Monday, leadoff on Tuesday.

“Just to shake it up just a hair,” said Gibbons, when asked about his tinkering. “That’s it, man. Maybe a little spark. This ain’t rocket science, you know that.”

Gibbons said he has confidence in Travis batting lead- off. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Travis leads the Jays with 54 hits since the all-star break, with 19 multihit games over that period.

“And ( the change) gives Jose a little more RBI opportunities, too,” said Gibbons, who sat down with Bautista in his office before Wednesday’s game.

“He doesn’t care (where he bats),” added Gibbons. “Remember, he was all for going to the leadoff spot earlier in the year.”

The Jays have lost four of five heading into Wednesday’s contest), but no one in the clubhouse is panicking.

“No doubt about that,” said first baseman Justin Smoak. “We know we’re a good team.”

Gibbons said having a veteran club this time of year is good because the players don’t seem to experience the roller- coaster of emotions that young players might. Last season, the Jays steamrolled their way into the playoffs, going 43-18 down the stretch to win the division.

This year, they haven’t had the huge winning streaks.

“Every year’s different,” said Gibbons. “Last year we caught fire and it was like a light switch. It wasn’t gradual. It was like ‘ Bam!’, and we just rode that wave.

““In these jobs, you live and die with the scoreboard, but over time you learn to deal with it better,” he added.

“Because, I mean, really we’re still in a good spot. A loss eats you up pretty good, but a couple of hours later, the next morning, it’s a new day, a new game.”

When asked if he sleeps this time of year, Gibbons cracked: “For the most part. You get a little wine in you too, that (can help).”

JIM McISAAC / GETTY IMAGES Jays slugger Jose Bautista batted in the cleanup spot on Wednesday against the Yankees after previously hitting in the leadoff and second spots in the first two games of the series.