He’s seen better Ks: Yankees’ Gardner closing in on career high in strikeouts

Brett Gardner is well aware that he is on pace to shatter his career high in strikeouts.

“I have been chasing too many pitches being aggressive,’’ said the Yankees’ leadoff hitter, who has 80 strikeouts in 341 at-bats after whiffing with the bases loaded in the ninth inning of last night’s 5-1 loss to the Royals. “There is no reason to chase as many pitches as I have been chasing lately. I have to get better at it.’’

While Gardner isn’t in the top 10 in strikeouts among AL hitters, his career high is 101 in 477 at-bats in 2010. The next season, he whiffed 93 times in 510 at-bats.

Gardner has fanned at least once in his last 16 starts. During that span he has struck out 22 times.

“When I am hitting well I am not striking out at all,’’ Gardner said. “Last week I struck out too much. I was a little off.’’

* The Yankees didn’t waste any time getting Travis Ishikawa into the lineup. Claimed on waivers from Baltimore on Sunday, the left-handed hitting first baseman started against Kansas City right-hander Jeremy Guthrie. That Ishikawa took a red-eye flight from San Francisco didn’t deter manager Joe Girardi from starting him.

Ishikawa went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts before being pinch-hit for by Lyle Overbay in the seventh inning. Overbay homered.

“Mr. Cashman called, and he really wanted me here [last night],’’ said Ishikawa, who was designated for assignment by the Orioles last week while the Yankees were in Baltimore.

Ishikawa had played in six games for the Orioles, hitting .118 (2-for-17). Ishikawa also has major league experience with Milwaukee and San Francisco.

“When I heard it was with this organization, I didn’t believe it,’’ Ishikawa said of joining the Yankees. “I am at a loss for words right now. I am real excited to get out there.’’

Because Overbay had started 21 of the past 22 games at first base, Girardi was eager to give him a rest.