Apr 13, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

Pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was sensational on the hill, allowing just five hits over eight innings. Kuroda, who evened his record at 1-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.63, fanned six batters and only walked a pair in an extremely efficient outing.

Dave Robertson came on in the ninth and retired the side, including recording a strikeout, in a non-save situation. The Angels were lifeless offensively, garnering just five singles on the afternoon and grounding into three double plays.

Erick Aybar had a pair of the hits, while superstar Albert Pujols was 1-for-4 for the Angels, the usual Yankee-killers who fell to just 2-5. A-Rod and Curtis Granderson homered for the Yanks, who moved over .500 for the first time on the season in improving to 4-3.

Ervin Santana took the loss for the Angels, falling to 0-2 after allowing all five runs over six frames, including the round-trippers.

Brett Gardner-wiki

With the dismal performances thus far of A-Rod, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher the Yanks have REALLY needed Gardner to come through.That well-paid veteran trio is an awful 7-for-44 with a homer and 4 RBI between them.

It’s a good thing for the Yanks, their “second” leadoff hitter, residing in the No. 9 hole in the lineup has been on his game. Consistently too, as Gardner had a key two-run single in the opener, a two-run double in the seventh of game three that pulled the Yanks even in an eventual loss, and two more hits and two RBI in the game four rout.

If the Yanks can win game five and the ALDS they will have Gardner in large part to thank.