Joe DiMaggio. Mickey Mantle. Bernie Williams.

Brett Gardner?

Sounds a lot better than hearing Melky Cabrera's name in the starting lineup come Opening Day.

Yankee manager Joe Girardi confirmed the fact that Brett Gardner has one the position battle for the prestigious spot in the Yankee outfield.

Gardner hit .385 (20-for-52) with three home runs, six RBIs and five stolen bases in 22 spring games for the Yankees.

So much for needing spring training to get used to live pitching.

The Yankees and the Reds combined for twenty four runs and thirty three hits and eight home runs.

On the Bomber side of the box score, Brett Gardner added his second homer of the spring while Robinson Cano and John Rodriguez each hit one of their own.

Yankee pitching, on the other hand, was a different story. Each pitcher gave up at least one run (earned or otherwise) and Damaso Marte gave up a pair of home runs during his inning of work.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	1	2	1	0	0	0	.500
a-Jackson, A, PH-CF	2	0	0	1	0	1	3	.286
Jeter, SS	3	2	3	0	0	0	0	.455
Nunez, E, SS	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.400
Teixeira, 1B	3	1	2	0	0	0	1	.500
1-Miranda, PR-1B	2	1	0	0	0	2	1	.250
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	0	2	2	0	0	0	.429
2-Leone, PR-3B	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.333
Cano, 2B	3	1	3	4	0	0	0	.556
3-Russo, PR-2B	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	.000
Nady, RF	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.125
Duncan, S, RF	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.375
Rodriguez, J, LF	3	1	1	1	0	0	1	.286
Linden, LF	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.143
Ransom, DH	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.222
b-Bernier, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.500
Cash, C	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	.667
Montero, C	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.750
Pilittere, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	42	11	19	11	1	6	12
a-Grounded out for Gardner in the 6th. b-Popped out for Ransom in the 7th. 1-Ran for Teixeira in the 5th. 2-Ran for Rodriguez, A in the 5th. 3-Ran for Cano in the 5th.
BATTING 2B: Rodriguez, A 2 (2, Harang, Rhodes), Gardner (2, Rhodes), Cano (2, Rhodes), Cash (1, Cordero). HR: Gardner (2, 3rd inning off Harang, 0 on, 0 out), Cano (1, 4th inning off Weathers, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, J (1, 4th inning off Weathers, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Gardner 6; Jeter 3; Nunez, E; Teixeira 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Leone; Cano 7; Rodriguez, J 4; Ransom; Cash 3; Montero. RBI: Rodriguez, A 2 (5), Cano 4 (4), Gardner (2), Rodriguez, J (1), Jackson, A (1), Nunez, E (1), Leone (2). 2-out RBI: Leone. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, J; Russo; Jackson, A. GIDP: Nady; Teixeira. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING SB: Nunez, E (1, 2nd base off Cordero/Denove), Leone (1, 2nd base off Cordero/Denove). CS: Cash (1, 2nd base by Weathers/Hanigan). FIELDING E: Russo (2, fielding), Nunez, E (1, fielding). PB: Montero (1). Outfield assists: Rodriguez, J (McDonald at 2nd base).

Home runs off the bats of Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez set the pace for a 6-1 Yankee win over the Blue Jays.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	1	1	1	0	0	2	.333
Jackson, A, CF	2	0	1	0	0	1	1	.500
Jeter, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Pena, SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Cano, 2B	2	2	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Ransom, 2B	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.000
Rodriguez, A, 3B	1	1	1	2	2	0	0	1.000
Russo, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Swisher, RF	1	1	0	1	2	1	1	.000
Curtis, RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Duncan, S, DH	3	0	0	0	0	2	4	.000
a-Montero, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Miranda, 1B	3	0	1	1	0	2	1	.333
Leone, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Linden, LF	3	0	1	1	0	1	3	.333
Rodriguez, J, LF	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.500
Cash, C	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.667
Pilittere, C	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Totals	37	6	11	6	5	13	22
a-Singled for Duncan, S in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Cano (1, Bauer), Jackson, A (1, Hayhurst). HR: Gardner (1, 1st inning off Cecil, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (1, 4th inning off Romero, R, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Gardner 4; Jackson, A 2; Jeter; Cano 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Montero; Miranda; Linden; Rodriguez, J; Cash 2. RBI: Gardner (1), Rodriguez, A 2 (2), Linden (1), Swisher (1), Miranda (1). 2-out RBI: Linden. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Russo 2; Pilittere. GIDP: Linden. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Cash (1, 2nd base off Burres/Thigpen). FIELDING E: Gardner (1, throw), Pena (1, throw), Leone (1, fielding), Russo (1, throw).

After two excessively long rain delays, the Yankees finished what they started by dismantling the Red Sox; 19-8.

Too bad it doesn't matter, a sentiment echoed by Bomber manager Joe Girardi; "I would have liked to have knocked them out of the playoffs and put us in. That would have meant something. It really doesn't [mean anything]."

Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner each had career days; Ransom homering twice in two consecutive at bats, off of two consecutive first pitches. Garder had a career high four RBI's. Bobby Abreu scored four runs and eventually knocked in his 100th RBI of the season.

Aceves lasted only four innings, and walked four batters, the most ever in his short major league career. The walks were most likely a result of the rain, causing Aceves to rarely get a good grip on the ball.

Brett Gardner made a fantastic catch, climbing the center field wall at Yankee Stadium, robbing Luke Scott of a home run. In what could be the last great catch ever made at the Stadium, Gardner also added an RBI while going 1-4.

Carl Pavano pitched well enough to earn his fourth win of the season. Thanks to an outstanding display from the bullpen, the Yanks were able to hold onto their 3-2 lead. They're still clinging onto whatever shred of playoff hope they have left.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon DH	4	1	2	0	0	1	1	.310
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.305
B Abreu RF	2	0	0	0	2	0	2	.298
A Rodriguez 3B	3	0	0	0	1	0	4	.302
J Giambi 1B	3	0	2	0	1	0	2	.251
M Cabrera PR-LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.243
X Nady LF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.277
C Ransom 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333
R Cano 2B	4	1	1	1	0	0	3	.264
I Rodriguez C	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.279
B Gardner CF	4	0	1	1	0	0	2	.190
Totals	31	3	9	2	5	1	19
BATTING 2B: B Gardner (4, R Liz) HR: R Cano (14, 3rd inning off R Liz 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: R Cano (62), B Gardner (12) GIDP: X Nady Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: I Rodriguez 1, B Gardner 1, A Rodriguez 2, J Giambi 1 Team LOB: 9
BASERUNNING SB: I Rodriguez (10, 2nd base off R Liz/R Hernandez); J Damon (29, 2nd base off R Liz/R Hernandez)
FIELDING E: J Giambi (9, throw) Outfield Assist: B Gardner (N Markakis at Home).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
C Pavano (W, 4-1)	5.0	6	2	2	1	2	0	73-47	4.99
P Coke (H, 2)	0.2	0	0	0	1	2	0	17-8	0.00
B Bruney (H, 10)	0.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	8-7	1.99
D Marte (H, 10)	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	5-4	5.19
J Chamberlain (H, 17)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	15-10	2.51
M Rivera (S, 37)	1.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	18-13	1.49
Totals	9.0	8	2	2	2	9	0	136-89
PITCHING Batters faced: C Pavano 21; P Coke 4; B Bruney 2; D Marte 2; J Chamberlain 3; M Rivera 5 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: C Pavano 5-7; P Coke 0-0; B Bruney 0-0; D Marte 1-1; J Chamberlain 0-0; M Rivera 2-1

Scoring Summary
			BAL	NYY
	1st	A Huff singled to center, B Roberts scored, N Markakis thrown out at home.	1	0
	2nd	L Montanez hit sacrifice fly to left, A Jones scored.	2	0
	3rd	R Cano homered to right.	2	1
	3rd	B Gardner doubled to deep left, I Rodriguez scored.	2	2
	5th	J Damon scored, D Jeter to second on wild pitch by R Liz.	2	3

Bomber rookie Brett Gardner singled home the winning run in the bottom half of the tenth inning, as the Yankees edged their division rival, 5-4.

Alex Rodriguez tied Mikey Mantle on the all time home run list with his 536th career home run, a solo shot off of Tim Wakefield in the second inning.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
B Gardner LF	5	1	2	1	0	1	0	.143
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	.281
B Abreu RF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.272
A Rodriguez 3B	4	2	2	1	0	0	0	.323
J Giambi 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.256
J Posada DH	4	1	1	0	0	3	1	.280
R Cano 2B	4	1	2	2	0	0	1	.252
M Cabrera CF	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	.247
J Molina C	3	0	0	0	0	2	1	.221
a-W Betemit PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.253
Totals	35	5	8	5	1	9	8
a-struck out swinging for J Molina in the 10th
BATTING 3B: R Cano (1, J Lopez) HR: A Rodriguez (18, 2nd inning off T Wakefield 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: A Rodriguez (50), D Jeter (37), R Cano 2 (37), B Gardner (3) S: M Cabrera 2-out RBI: B Gardner Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: J Molina 1 Team LOB: 3
BASERUNNING SB: B Gardner (3, 2nd base off T Wakefield/K Cash); M Cabrera (7, 2nd base off M Delcarmen/K Cash)
FIELDING E: D Jeter (8, throw) DP: 2 (J Molina-D Jeter, J Giambi-D Jeter-J Giambi).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
J Chamberlain	6.0	4	3	3	4	5	0	101-63	2.45
D Robertson	1.0	2	1	1	0	0	0	23-15	3.00
K Farnsworth	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	16-10	3.69
M Rivera (W, 3-3)	2.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	16-13	1.12
Totals	10.0	7	4	4	4	8	0	156-101
PITCHING WP: J Chamberlain Batters faced: J Chamberlain 24; D Robertson 5; K Farnsworth 3; M Rivera 7 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: J Chamberlain 11-1; D Robertson 1-2; K Farnsworth 0-2; M Rivera 3-1

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	2nd	A Rodriguez homered to left.	0	1
	5th	K Youkilis scored on J Chamberlain's wild pitch.	1	1
	5th	D Pedroia singled to right center, S Casey and C Crisp scored, J Ellsbury to second.	3	1
	6th	D Jeter singled to right center, B Gardner scored.	3	2
	7th	K Cash doubled to left, J Lugo scored.	4	2
	7th	R Cano tripled to deep right, A Rodriguez and J Posada scored.	4	4
	10th	B Gardner singled to right center, R Cano scored.	4	5

The Yanks finally snapped their losing streak, edging out their AL East Rival, Boston Red Sox, 2-1.
Seven batters were plunked during the game, tying an American League record, with Manny Ramirez being drilled three times (also tying a major league record).
Mariano Rivera came in the ninth inning to close the door on the Sox, but struggled en route to earning his 23rd save. After giving up a run, Rivera escaped a no out bases loaded jam.
Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera each had an RBI in the victory.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
B Gardner LF	3	0	0	1	0	0	1	.063
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.282
B Abreu RF	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.275
A Rodriguez 3B	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	.320
J Giambi DH	3	1	0	0	1	1	5	.259
W Betemit 1B	4	1	1	0	0	1	5	.255
R Cano 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.249
M Cabrera CF	4	0	2	1	0	0	1	.249
J Molina C	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.225
Totals	29	2	6	2	3	4	18
BATTING RBI: M Cabrera (33), B Gardner (2) SF: B Gardner 2-out RBI: M Cabrera Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: D Jeter 1, W Betemit 2, J Molina 2, J Giambi 1 Team LOB: 10
BASERUNNING SB: A Rodriguez 2 (13, 2nd base off J Masterson/J Varitek, 3rd base off J Masterson/J Varitek)
FIELDING Outfield Assist: B Gardner (D Pedroia at 2nd base).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
M Mussina (W, 11-6)	6.0	4	0	0	1	5	0	89-54	3.64
J Veras (H, 5)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	15-9	2.54
K Farnsworth (H, 10)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15-11	3.79
M Rivera (S, 23)	1.0	2	1	1	0	2	0	25-16	1.17
Totals	9.0	6	1	1	1	9	0	144-90
PITCHING WP: M Mussina HBP: M Ramirez 3 (By M Mussina 2; M Rivera); K Youkilis (By M Rivera) Batters faced: M Mussina 23; J Veras 3; K Farnsworth 3; M Rivera 7 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: M Mussina 5-6; J Veras 0-1; K Farnsworth 1-2; M Rivera 0-1

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	2nd	M Cabrera singled to right, J Giambi scored, R Cano to third, M Cabrera to second advancing on throw.	0	1
	6th	B Gardner hit sacrifice fly to left, W Betemit scored.	0	2
	9th	M Lowell singled to right, J Drew scored, B Moss to second.	1	2