NewsGardner thriving when given a chance
Yankees (41-32) at Mets (37-35), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Thomas Boorstein / MLB.com
06/27/09 3:00 AM ET
NEW YORK -- After winning the Yankees' center-field job in Spring Training -- only to lose it weeks later -- Brett Gardner is again forcing his way into regular playing time. Gardner went 5-for-6 with a home run, a triple and a stolen base in Friday's 9-1 win over the Mets. A sluggish beginning to the season may finally be in the 24-year-old's rearview mirror. |
"I was a little disappointed in myself that I didn't get off to the kind of start I wanted," Gardner said following Friday's win. "But I had a really good Spring Training, and it's just common sense that you're not going to hit like that all season long. That's part of the game."
Gardner's blistering Spring Training was quickly forgotten when Melky Cabrera enjoyed an April resurgence. By the end of the Yankees' first homestand, Gardner had lost his spot in the starting lineup. On May 12, Gardner hit his nadir. His average fell to .214, and his on-base percentage stood at .273. But he homered the next night in Toronto and has been on an upward trajectory since. After Friday's eruption, Gardner sports a .302 average and a .373 on-base percentage. He raised his batting average 21 points with Friday's five-hit performance, which easily eclipsed his previous career high of three. "He's hot right now," manager Joe Girardi said of Gardner. "He's had a great month of June, and that's why he's seeing more playing time." Gardner, batting leadoff on Friday after Derek Jeter was scratched with a cough, blooped a single in his first at-bat and added singles in the second and sixth innings. He homered down the right-field line in the eighth and tripled into the same corner in the ninth. "I just got lucky the first couple at-bats -- got some balls to fall in," Gardner said.About his homer, Gardner added: "I just squeaked it down the line. That's probably the only place I can leave this park."
When asked what he has changed since his slow start, Gardner discussed his approach at the plate. "In the past, I've probably taken too many pitches," Gardner said. "We've recently worked on being a little more aggressive early in the count, and when I get a good pitch to hit, to take advantage of it." But Gardner has been taking his share of pitches, too. Eleven of his 17 walks have come since May 13. "Baseball's a game of ups and downs," Gardner said. "Sometimes you have good nights, and sometimes you fall into a little slump. Right now, I seem to be swinging the bat well." "He can beat you with his legs, and he does have some power," Girardi said of Gardner. "He can create runs as well as anyone on our club." Gardner's recovery takes on even more importance given the Yankees' outfield situation. Cabrera has regressed since suffering a right shoulder injury in Texas on May 26. Left fielder Johnny Damon has missed time with a right calf injury. Xavier Nady, who the Yankees thought could return for the team's next homestand, suffered what's likely to be a season-ending setback on Thursday in his attempt to return from a right elbow injury. The illnesses that have affected Jeter and others also haven't helped. "We're going to continue to play all the guys out there," Girardi said. "It keeps them all fresh. What we're going to do every day right now, there's not an exact science. Some of it depends on who's sick the next day." Pitching matchupNYY: RHP A.J. Burnett (5-4, 4.24 ERA)
Though his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by the Marlins' Josh Johnson, the winning pitcher who stymied the Yankees over seven innings last Saturday, Burnett was nearly as effective as Johnson in his last start. The right-hander struck out eight for the third time in four starts, allowing one earned run in 6 1/3 innings. And though the Marlins didn't hit any deep fly balls off Burnett, he can't be disappointed to be making his debut at pitcher-friendly Citi Field. Burnett has already beaten the Mets once this season, having pitched seven scoreless innings against them at Yankee Stadium on June 14, when he beat Johan Santana. Right-handed hitters are batting .288 against Burnett, 66 points higher than their left-handed-hitting brethren. Will the Mets miss shortstop Jose Reyes? He is hitless in 17 career at-bats against Burnett. Reyes' replacement, Alex Cora, is also 0-for-17 against Burnett. NYM: RHP Tim Redding (1-2, 6.08 ERA)
In his last start, Redding pitched into the eighth inning for the first time, earning his first victory. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits in seven innings, striking out four before allowing a leadoff home run in the eighth. Saturday's start will be Redding's first against the Yankees, for whom he once played. Redding's Interleague numbers include a 2-3 record and an 8.00 ERA in 16 appearances, including 13 starts. Mark Teixeira has four hits, all doubles, in nine career at-bats against Redding, and Damon has three hits in four at-bats against the righty. Redding's ERA in 18 innings at Citi Field is 7.00 Tidbits
Gardner has three home runs this season, including one inside-the-park shot. ... Jeter's absence marked the first time in his career that he did not appear in a game against the Mets. ... Friday's Subway Series opener drew 41,278 fans, the third sellout at Citi Field this season. Tickets
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• Sunday: Yankees (Chien-Ming Wang, 0-6, 11.20) at Mets (Livan Hernandez, 5-2, 4.05), 8:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Yankees (Joba Chamberlain, 4-2, 3.81) vs. Mariners (Brandon Morrow, 0-3, 5.64), 7:05 p.m. ET
Thomas Boorstein is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
