Amid the Yankees’ startling run over the past three weeks, when they could do little wrong, there has been one player who has been largely absent from the party: Brett Gardner.
The longest-tenured Yankee remains a pest at the plate and a strong clubhouse presence, but his batting average had sunk below the Mendoza line, leaving Manager Aaron Boone to answer questions Wednesday about whether Gardner would remain in the leadoff spot.
A few hours later, Gardner had done more than justify his place.
He had three hits — all extra-base hits — including a two-run, go-ahead triple off Boston closer Craig Kimbrel in the eighth inning to lift the Yankees to a 9-6 victory over the Red Sox before another rapturous crowd at Yankee Stadium.