By JUSTIN TERRANOVA
Posted: 1:30 pm
July 6, 2008
With Johnny Damon likely headed to the disabled list and Hideki Matsui already there the Yankees will continue to depend on Brett Gardner tonight against the Red Sox (8:05, ESPN, WCBS).
Damon has 2,202 hits compared to Gardner's one, but Gardner showed the ability to throw runners out yesterday. An attribute Damon lacks. Gardner's first-inning gun down of Dustin Pedroia at second base saved the Yankees a run. His sacrifice fly in the sixth inning proved to be the winning tally in the Yanks' 2-1 win.
Gardner not only patrolled Damon's position, but his spot in the order as he hit leadoff against the Red Sox.
"You'll never wish for somebody to get hurt or get on to the disabled list to give yourself an opportunity," Gardner said. "If he's out of the lineup and I'm the guy to fill in for him, those are some huge shoes to fill, and I'm not going to fill them or claim that I can fill them. I can't fill his shoes, and I don't think there's anybody in the game that can, either."
Damon is out for tonight and possibly beyond with a bruised left shoulder. And with the Yankees four games behind the Red Sox and nine back of the first-place Rays, who comes in for two games Tuesday and Wednesday, as pre-all-star-break swoon is not an option.
Yesterday's plays by Gardner saved the Yankees a possibility of facing a sweep and instead go for a split of the four-game series tonight.
"That's one of the main things I bring to my table, I think, is my defense," Gardner said. "Whether or not I'm in a slump at the plate, it's something I can bring to the field every day. I feel like that's gotten me by the last several years. Sometimes, when you're struggling at the plate, you need to find ways to help your team win."
Gardner, 24, is 1-for-13 with three runs and two RBIs in the five games he has appeared in his major league career which started June 30. But said he is already learning from his brief experience.
"Be aggressive," he said. "Don't let them beat you with a fastball. Don't let them get ahead of you in an at-bat. I feel like I'm letting them get ahead a little bit.
"I feel like some pitches I should be swinging at, I've been letting go, but I learn from every at-bat, and that's one thing I can continue to work on -- not allowing them to just get one over for a strike."
Tonight's Pitching Matchup:
Yankees RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-2, 2.22 ERA) This will be Chamberlain's first start against the Red Sox tonight, but he did have three relief appearances against Boston last season. He pitched 4 1/3 innings giving up one run, three hits and striking out five. He had one win and two holds.
Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield (5-6, 3.72 ERA) While Chamberlain will be making his first start against Boston tonight, Wakefield will have his 29th start and 46th appearance against the Bombers tonight. He is 9-16 with a 5.03 ERA.
With Yankees.com
