All Things Bubba

Brett Gardner, oft criticized for being unable to hit even a fastball down the middle, wasn't even supposed to be in the lineup tonight. But Damon was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the 3rd, and Gardner took his spot. The kid went 3 for 3, including an inside-the-park homerun and a triple off the Twins' closer, Joe Nathan.

I really think Gardner deserves more of a chance than he's gotten. But I'm also not surprised that the Yankees gave him only 18 games before replacing him with Melky Cabrera. The Yankees have notoriously little patience with young players.