Gardner watches Cano, other vets heat up

CLEVELAND -- Brett Gardner would never complain about getting on base five times in a game, as he did on Tuesday, but he also might need to pick up a little hazard pay if Robinson Cano keeps spraying liners around the diamond.

"I have to be careful over there at first base," Gardner said. "He can hit it pretty hard, and he hit some hard [Tuesday]. He's a lot of fun to watch."

Gardner had four hits and three runs scored in the Yankees' 14-1 victory over the Indians on Tuesday, and he said that he feels like he is starting to see some good results after having little to show for his efforts earlier on the road trip.

"I haven't been doing a good job getting on base, especially leading off the game," Gardner said. "I was able to see some pitches, backed the ball up and hit it hard to left field. It's definitely good to get on there for Robbie."

Cano had five RBIs in the Yanks' big win and has homered three times in his last two games heading into play on Wednesday. Gardner said that it has not caught him off guard that the Yankees are seeing contributions from players like Vernon Wells, Kevin Youkilis and Travis Hafner.

"It's not surprising at all," Gardner said. "We've got some guys in this room that are pretty talented, some guys that have been around and done some good things. Bringing Vernon Wells over the last few days of Spring Training, he's gotten off to a great start. Youk and Hafner right there in the middle of the order, and now Robbie's heated up too. We've got a good group of guys and we have a lot of fun together. The last two days have been great."