Brett Gardner is ready to become a force

Brett Gardner became the first Yankee since 1999 to record a walkoff hit in 6 career games or less. His single up the middle in the 10th inning against All Star closer Jonathan Papelbon gave the Yanks a 5-4 win and he recorded his first multi-hit game in the process. Since the 5?10 outfielder was called up last week he began his career with only one hit in 16 at-bats before last nights game. The rookie showed patience against Papelbon and was not intimidated falling behind 0-2 and then evening the count before his third career hit on the seventh pitch of the at bat which scored Robinson Cano. Gardner is the full time leftfielder with Jonny Damon going on the DL for the first time in his 14-year career spanning over 1927 games. The 24-year old was a third round choice in the 2005 draft. As a leadoff hitter for the College of Charleston he recorded a .447 batting average, 85 runs and 38 steals in his senior season. In his minor league career the lefty hit .288, .381 OBP and has stole 114 bases. At Triple A he stole 55 bases at a 83% success rate. "(Gardner) creates a lot of havoc when he's on the bases. He changes the defense," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's constant pressure on pitchers when he's on base, to pay attention to him." In his six games with the Yankees he has scored 4 runs, walked 3 times and stole 3 bases. The Yankees are nine games back and take on the first place Rays tomorrow. Gardner needs to be that consistent sparkplug for the Yanks to get back into the Wild Card race. "With Johnny on the DL and Brett taking over, it's a good opportunity for him to show what he can do," Girardi said. "He has speed and you know he's going to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. He's kind of in the same mold of a Johnny Damon."