NEW YORK -- Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is off to one of the best starts of his career.

Including a first-inning RBI double off starter Domingo German to ignite the Royals in their 6-1 win over the Yankees on Thursday at Yankee Stadium, Gordon is hitting .328 (22-for-67) with three home runs and a team-high 16 RBIs.

Gordon is more consistent at the plate this year, according to hitting coach Terry Bradshaw, because his confidence is up and his posture at the plate has improved. When he is in the batter’s box, the left-handed-hitting Gordon is more upright and is using the lower half of his body. That has allowed Gordon to hit the ball all over the field. It’s tough for opponents to use the shift against Gordon these days.

“He is getting good balls to hit and not missing them,” Bradshaw said. “He has an unbelievable routine that he is committed to. He sticks to it. He goes about it the right way. He is a true professional. I never really worry about Gordo. He has been here for a while. You are talking about a veteran guy. His work ethic is off the charts.”

No one knows about Gordon’s work ethic better than manager Ned Yost. It also looks like Gordon is having more fun on the field these days.

“Every single day he stepped on the field and gave you everything he had,” Yost said. “He worked extremely hard every single day to the point where I had to calm him down some. … I told him, ‘I have to start giving you days off if you don’t slow down.’ He has always been that guy. [Now], he is looking to have as much fun as he can. Before, he was all business. He is still all business, but he is trying to enjoy every second of it.”