Swisher's return provides a lift
New York Yankees' Nick Swisher, right, celebrates his solo home run as he runs past Kansas City Royals catcher Humberto Quintero during the third inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo. (May 6, 2012) Credit: AP
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Joe Girardi got exactly what he wanted out of Nick Swisher's return to a lineup that had mostly struggled without him.
"Hopefully, he picks up where he left off," Girardi said.
Swisher, who missed the previous six games with a strained left hamstring, did just that Sunday, hitting his seventh homer of the season in the Yankees' 10-4 victory over the Royals.
"I just want to kind of be the spark to light the flame," said Swisher, who was the DH. "We went out there and did a great job today. It was just fun to be back in that lineup."
Swisher's blast was part of a six-run third inning that broke the game open. The home run off Luke Hochevar, which came two batters after Robinson Cano's grand slam, gave Swisher 24 RBIs.
He was part of a 12-hit attack in which five players collected two hits. "It's just a matter of time," Swisher said. "Law of averages. These guys have been doing it for their entire careers. We're not stressed about it in here. Just a good day for us."
Swisher said he expects to start in rightfield Tuesday.
Not counting on Mo
Though it's not unheard of -- and before leaving here Saturday, Mariano Rivera said not to discount the possibility of a "miracle" -- Joe Girardi isn't expecting the closer to return this season from the torn ACL and meniscus he suffered Thursday.
"I think it's really doubtful," Girardi said. "You worry about the strength and the stability of the leg. You never know, but my thought is we're probably not going to have him."
Rivera is scheduled to see "a couple different doctors" Monday and Tuesday in New York, with some kind of plan for surgery established after that.
Extra bases
Brett Gardner hit in the cage for a second day and said he was headed to Rochester to start a rehab assignment Monday. Girardi said Gardner is likely to play in two or three rehab games . . . Eric Chavez, on the seven-day DL with a concussion, is "doing great," Girardi said. Chavez will be evaluated and tested Tuesday and could return Thursday . . . Curtis Granderson's RBI single in the third was the 1,000th hit of his career.
More Yankees headlines
