Gardy & ‘the young guys’ power Yanks

Brett Gardner is one of three current Yankees who was part of the 2009 World Series champion Bombers, the last title won in the Bronx, but the speedy outfielder said he likes the current 2017 squad’s chances in this year’s playoffs, now that the AL wild-card game is out of the way. “Early in my career, I got kind of spoiled. I was playing on a (2009) team with pretty much all Hall of Famers,” said Gardner early Wednesday morning in the champagnesoaked Stadium home clubhouse. “These young guys they keep me feeling young again.”

The “young guys” include shortstop Didi Gregorius and rookie Greg Bird, who along with Gardner, had key hits in Tuesday night’s victory. Gregorius whacked a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning off Twins starter Ervin Santana to tie the game, while Bird had an RBI single.

“We were down (in the first), but there’s a lot of game left,” said Gregorius, who was 1-for3. “We’re a team that never gives up. It’s the wild card, that’s the do-or-die game. If you’re ready for it, you’re ready for everything else. Gardy got on base right away. From there, the whole Stadium has our back.”

Gardner drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first, and after Aaron Judge hit a single, Gregorius blasted a three-run homer to even the score, 3-3. Gardner later had solo shot, his first career playoff dinger, and he finished the night 2-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored and an RBI.

“Sure, I don’t hit many of them. It’s nice to be able to come through in a big spot. I like to think that we’ve got a pretty high-powered offense,” said Gardner. “In 2009, we scored a lot of runs. I feel good about our chances the rest of the way. I’m looking forward to this.”

Bird, who was hampered all year with injuries, had a key RBI single in the third that put the Yankees up for good. “It’s so important that Gardy gets on base there (in the first). That set the tone right away, that we’re not done, we’re not gonna roll over, we’re here,” said Bird, who went 1-for-3 with a walk. “That’s the depth of our team. To be able to come back like that, both sides of the ball, is huge. But there’s still work to be done.” HOWARD SIMMONS/NEWS