Nine Reasons Why Joe Girardi Let Phil Hughes Start the Fifth Inning

1. Tired of seeing Daily News Fifth go too quickly.

2. Thinking of Hughes' confidence in 2011

3. Coming back from five-run deficit too easy.

4. Last batter in fourth -- line drive double play that nearly decapitated Swisher -- looked encouraging.

5. Save Serigo Mitre for World Series.

6. Hughes no longer on innings restrictions, can pitch all day.

7. Down by six, would have earlier opportunity to replace do-nuthing Brett Gardner.

8. Has extra block of tickets for game five.

9. Wanted to see what would happen.