Johnny Damon’s season emerged from the outhouse on the Yankees’ last road trip, and now he’s got larger plans: He wants to play like the old Johnny Damon.
“I’ve got a lot to go out there and prove,” Damon said after a 6-1 win over Seattle yesterday. “I consider myself a pretty good player in this league, and I just don’t want people to forget about that.”
Damon finished 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and two doubles, giving him three extra-base hits in a game for the first time in two seasons. The left fielder’s average surged to .290.
As Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano and Jose Molina continue to struggle, the top of the order is carrying the Yankees’ lineup, starting with the leadoff hitter.
Damon was hitting .197 entering play on April 20, but has gone 19-for-46 (.413) since. That includes five multi-hit games.
Damon’s first-inning double against Felix Hernandez yesterday led to a run, and his double in the third sparked a three-run inning. In the sixth, Damon reached the upper deck in right.
“That is what Johnny is capable of doing every day,” Joe Girardi said. “You get the doubles and the big home run.”
Damon said he was healthy for maybe 40 games last season, as he fought a barrage of leg injuries.
“It was the first time in my career I had to deal with a few more injuries than I would have liked,” he said.
With his legs healthy, Damon is expecting to help carry the Yanks, with some pop at the top of the order.
mpuma@nypost.com