Swisher's even keel keeps him focused on his game

The Swisher swagger never wavers.

Whether the Yankees rightfielder is ripping it up at the plate - or stinking it up - his mind-set stays the same. That's why he said he isn't fazed by his burgeoning batting average.

After going hitless last night but going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI against the Orioles on Monday, he was batting .293. That's quite an accomplishment considering his average had dipped to .200 on April 18.

"I don't look at stats," he said. "I just think that I've tried to take this same approach since day one of this season. I could care less what happened in the past. So it's all about this year, this time.

"I go out there with a positive mind-set every day, regardless of whether I'm successful that day. All that matters is what the team does. And things are going well for us."

Swisher's steady bat has been a welcome relief of late for the Yankees, who are trying to buoy themselves near the top of the American League East standings despite a handful of injuries and the slumping batting averages of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira.

With Curtis Granderson (left groin strain) out of the lineup for possibly a month, the Yankees' outfield situation is in a state of flux; Brett Gardner has shifted into the everyday centerfield spot, while Randy Winn and Marcus Thames platoon in left. And for insurance, the Yankees called up Greg Golson from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes / Barre Tuesday.

But Swisher, the team's only constant outfield presence since Opening Day, said he isn't trying to overextend himself at the plate.

"I want to stay relaxed, I want to stay calm, and all I want to do is take a round bat and a round ball and square it up," he said with a laugh.

"I think that's one of the great things about this team. That regardless of the situation, we always feel that we have guys that can step in or step up. And that's sort of the motto of this team. We just kind of grind out every game. We're a very patient team, we take a lot of pitches and I think that's been a successful recipe for us."

So far, his "stay calm" approach is working. He was batting .425 (17-for-40) with three home runs and 10 RBIs in the previous 10 games. And coming into last night, he was 8-for-16 with two home runs and five RBIs on the Yankees' current homestand.

"I just feel more relaxed," he said. "Not trying to do too much. Doing my best to stay as balanced as I can, try to see the ball as long as I can - you know, just that normal stuff that you need to do. Just doing my best to try to perfect that."