MLB

Yankees manager Girardi reaches 500-win plateau

WASHINGTON — The record book says Joe Girardi won his 500th game as a manager Friday night in the Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Nationals.

Nevertheless, Derek Jeter knows that getting the bulk of them as the Yankees’ skipper seems like more.

“Five hundred is like 750 in New York,’’ said Jeter, who presented Girardi with the ball in front of his coaches and teammates. “He has done a great job since he has been with us.’’

It was Girardi’s 421st win with the Yankees. Girardi, whose record is 500-373, is the first manager to reach 500 with fewer than 380 losses since Davey Johnson in 1989 with the Mets.

“I can’t do it without coaches, players and the front office,’’ Girardi said. “They are the guys who win the games.’’

***

When Robinson Cano wasn’t in the lineup several scouts who watched Cano strike out three times Wednesday night in Atlanta asked if his right wrist was the reason.

According to a scout, Cano stepped out of the box and shook the hand after getting jammed and offering an awkward swing.

YANKEES BOX SCORE

Yet, Cano said he was suffering from a cramp, and that it had nothing to do with not starting.

“When I got jammed the hand cramped but it’s OK,’’ Cano said after last night’s victory in which he was walked intentionally as a pinch-hitter and singled later.

Girardi said it was simply a chance to give Cano two days off.

Cano did say the cut he received in the lower right leg Tuesday night when Michael Bourn cleated him sliding in to second wasn’t a problem.

“I wanted to play, but he is the manager, he decides,’’ Cano said of Girardi, who started Jayson Nix against lefty Gio Gonzalez.

Cano, who had a 10-game hitting streak stopped Wednesday, was 0-for-9 against Gonzalez and fanned four times. Nix was 3-for-7 (.429) versus the lefty with a homer.

“I figured two days [off] in a row,’’ Girardi said. “He has played almost every inning. Gio is tough on lefties.’’

Girardi also pointed out that after Thursday’s off day the Yankees will play 13 consecutive days.

Cano had started all 62 games; 60 at second and two as the DH.

***

David Robertson made his first appearance since May 11. In one inning he gave up two hits and a run.

“It’s good to get an outing like that. I gave up a couple of hits but nothing to worry about,’’ said Robertson, who had been on the DL with a left rib cage muscle problem. “I felt like my location was pretty good.’’

***

Andy Pettitte will pitch Saturday for the first time as a 40-year-old after celebrating that birthday Friday.

“I feel old around here,’’ Pettitte said. “I am the butt of a lot of jokes right now.’’

Pettitte says the bruise on his left hand he received fielding a ground ball Sunday against the Mets won’t be an issue today on the mound or at the plate.

“I wear a thumb guard to protect [the hand] anyway,’’ said Pettitte, a career .137 (26-for-190) hitter.

Because Bryce Harper is 19 and not much older than Pettitte’s oldest son, Josh, he said it will be different preparing for him.

“I got a kid three or four months from 18 so it will definitely be strange,’’ Pettitte said. “I will go over the scouting reports to figure out how to get him out.’’

Like a lot of baseball people, Girardi said he is impressed with Harper’s first year.

“To do what this kid has done is absolutely amazing,’’ Girardi said of the outfielder who started last night’s action hitting .303 with seven homers and 49 at-bats in 35 games. “He is aggressive and plays the game the right way.’’

Harper went 1-for-4 and made a diving catch in center to rob Mark Teixeira of a hit in the first inning.

***

Joba Chamberlain is on schedule to face hitters in 10 days. Chamberlain is coming back from Tommy John surgery and a dislocated right ankle.

***

Long- time Yankees trainer Gene Monahan joined the club Friday and will be with the team this weekend. Monahan, who retired after last season, was in uniform and working. He will be working with assistant trainer Mark Littlefield today while head trainer Steve Donohue attends a family graduation.

Monahan was the Yankees’ trainer from 1973 to 2011.

***

Saturday will be right-hander Jordan Zimmerman’s debut against the Yankees. The Yankees are 25-9 in the past two seasons in games the opposing pitcher starts for the first time against them. They are 8-4 this year and on a five-game winning streak.

***

Right-handed reliever David Aardsma threw 20 pitches in Tampa and there is a chance he could pitch in a Gulf Coast League game next week.

Aardsma is attempting to come back from Tommy John surgery and there is a chance he could be ready for the big leagues by the middle of next month.