Don't Count Cano Out

To say it is important for Robinson Cano to get off to a fast start would be an understatement. It is crucial.

In 2007, Cano had a mediocre April. In '08, his April was horrid and he never fully recovered. Questions arose about his attitude and doubts emerged about whether he'd be able to fulfill that potential that earned him a four-year, $30 million contract extension following the '07 season.

Through four games, Cano is erasing all doubts.

Cano sparked a two-run rally in the fourth and Andy Pettitte pitched seven brilliant innings as the Yankees defeated the Royals 4-1 in Kansas City, Mo., Friday to even their record at 2-2.



With Alex Rodriguez out at least the first month, the Yankees need Cano to perform like he did during the second half of '07, when he hit .341 with 13 homers and 64 RBI. Than means improving on his career April numbers of .237 with five homers, 24 RBI and a .611 OPS.

There is a long way to go in April, but through four games, I'm quite encouraged. In 14 at-bats, Cano has eight hits (.571) with six runs, a homer, three RBI and a 1.524 OPS. He even has four walks, which is amazing considering he had a total of 26 last year, when he hit .151 with 2 homers, seven RBI and a .447 OPS in April.

Cano still has to prove he produce like this for the entire season, but through four games, he is off on the right foot, and that's a hopeful sign.

The Good
Pettitte was brilliant, allowing three hits, one earned run and one walk, while striking out six. He threw 64 of 99 pitches for strikes, and wouldn't have given up any runs if Nick Swisher could have come up with a sliding catch on a pop double with two outs in the second. Pettitte has a career 13-3 record against the Royals and is 8-0 in his last 12 starts against them. This was the kind of start the Yankees envisioned getting most nights when the season began.

The bullpen ran its scoreless streak to 10 innings with Brian Bruney pitching a flawless eighth and Mariano Rivera allowing just an infield single in the ninth for his first save of the season. This bullpen had some terrific stretches last season and as long and it's not overworked because of poor starts by the rotation, it has the potential to be among the league's best.

Jorge Posada had a two-out, two-run single to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the first. That was enough for Pettitte, but Swisher added an RBI double in the fourth to drive in Cano. The fourth run scored on a fielder's choice by Derek Jeter. Cano finished 2-for-3 with a walk and Mark Teixeira went 1-for-2 with a run.

The Bad
Since homering in the opener, Hideki Matsui has not had a hit, going 0-for-4 Friday to drop his average to .071. Jeter also went 0-for-4 and Brett Gardner was picked off in the ninth. ... Kyle Farnsworth struck out the side in the seventh. ... The game wasn't on the line, but the Royals are already learning that Farnsworth will blow up in the big spot.

What We Learned
Whatever arm trouble Pettitte had toward the end of last season is gone and when he pitches like he did Friday, he's a hell of a No. 4 starter. On most teams, he'd be a No. 2.

Hey Dave ...
I've got two for you.

• Farnsworth learned New York is not the only city that boos its players. Farnsworth was booed during the Royals' home opener ceremonies after blowing a lead in his Royals debut in Chicago this week. Kyle, it's not New York. You just suck.
• You know those outrageously expensive tickets at the new Yankee Stadium? The ones that go for $2,500 per for season tickets and $2,650 for individual games? The Yankees have 100 of those seats in the stadium and 80 of them will be filled for each game this season, according WFAN's Mike Francesa. That the Yankees found enough people willing to shell out that kind of money in this economy is amazing. But maybe that's New York. As of 11 p.m., the top bid on eBay for Bernard Madoff's tickets at the Mets' Citi Field was $2,375.

Runners On Third With Less Than Two Outs
Friday
One Opportunity
0-for-1, RBI
Season
Seven Opportunities
1-for-7, 3 RBI, SF, 5 R

Up Next
Tonight at Royals, 7:10 p.m., YES
CC Sabathia (0-1, 12,48 ERA) vs. Horacio Ramirez.

Let's call the opener a mulligan for Sabathia. He needs to take the baton from Burnett and Pettitte and dominate.