by MARC CARIG, STAR-LEDGER STAFF , The Star-Ledger

Not long after watching the Yankees slog through a 4-0 loss to the Braves on Tuesday night, Cashman booked a flight to Atlanta. Instead of mingling with minor-leaguers, Cashman spent most of yesterday talking face-to-face with manager Joe Girardi about what can be done to stop the Yankees' slide.

"Sometimes, as you guys who have been around me know, normally when we struggle to a certain degree, I wind up popping out on the road," said Cashman, whose appearance signaled that the Yankees' issues have progressed beyond the point of being solved with phone conversations.

The Yankees entered play yesterday five games back of the American League East leading Red Sox, the furthest they've been out of the division lead since May 13, when they were a third-lace team mired 5 games back.

They weren't shut out this season until June 9. Yet, in their last 13 games, the Yankees have dropped nine and have been blanked three times, the latest coming on Tuesday night against the Braves.

The unexpected visit seemed to be latest sign of rising heat in the Yankees Universe.

"There's no messages," Cashman said. "I'm not here to send messages other than we're here to fix problems."

Yet, in this case, his presence itself was the message.

Cashman spent most of his time before the game in Girardi's office. Once batting practice began, Cashman found a seat right behind the cage. There, he watched closely as his slumping players took their cuts.

A few minutes later, Cashman addressed the media in Turner Field's humid visiting dugout.

He made it clear that despite the team's offensive struggles, the Yankees aren't shopping for a bat, and that the answer to the team's hitting woes isn't wearing another team's uniform.

"We don't need a bat," Cashman said. "All the bats are here. I have no doubt. We do not need a bat. We have a tremendous offense that's scuffling right now."

The appearance came with the requisite public votes of confidence, first for Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long.

Cashman said Girardi was doing "an exceptional" job and praised the manager's demeanor during the team's offensive struggles.

"We're scuffling right now for three weeks," Cashman said. "But he is not slumped over. He's not down and out, all 'oh woe is me' or depressed, or on edge or tight. He's keeping his guys up, he's keeping them positive. I hear the messages he's sent to them."

For his part, Girardi said he is aware of the mounting pressures.

"I know the drill here," he said. "You win or you go home. That's basically the deal and I understand that. I know what we have to do as a club."

In his daily conversations with team ownership, Cashman maintains, there is no sense of panic.

"They know we're better than this," he said. "I know we're better than this and our players know that they're better than this."

* The Yankees will become the first Major League Baseball team to offer its television broadcasts on the Internet in its home market under a deal involving the YES Network, MLB Advanced Media and Cablevision Systems Corp.

It will cost $49.95 for the rest of the season or $19.95 for any 30-day period.

Last night's game between the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves ended too late for this edition. For complete coverage, log on to nj.com/ Yankees .

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