Cano hits one high, far and gone

TAMPA, Fla. -- Robinson Cano's first home run of spring training was not a cheap one. It carried over the rightfield wall, the bleachers, the chain link fence behind it and a ramp behind that.

He didn't follow it, so someone later mentioned to him that it never was seen touching down. "I might see it when I go out," he said on his way to the door leading out of the clubhouse.

The three-run shot off the Astros' Bud Norris in the second inning was a relief to a player whose power made him an American League Most Valuable Player candidate last year. "It was good to hit one out of the infield," he said after raising his average to .208. "Everything has been a ground ball."

Cano is the last player Joe Girardi is worried about. In fact, his spot at No. 3 probably is the only sure thing in the batting order. Still, it was good for the manager to see that ball sail. Said Girardi, "The last couple days, it seems like he has gotten locked in a little bit."

Extra basesEduardo Nuñez started and went 1-for-2 in his first appearance since getting hit on the hand by a pitch nearly two weeks ago. He sounded ecstatic just to be able to get back on the field. His activity had been limited to three hours of swimming a day . . . Brett Gardner saved a run with a sprinting, sliding catch on Brad Snyder's bloop to end the fourth. "I think he's as good as it gets," Girardi said . . . Derek Jeter (calf), Nick Swisher (groin) and Russell Martin (groin) probably will return Tuesday, Girardi said.

Mariano Rivera retired the side on eight pitches, seven strikes, in the fifth. He has not allowed an earned run in spring training since March 15, 2008.