MLB

Yankees’ Cano keeps up MVP pace with three-run homer

Seemingly every game Robinson Cano is stating his early case for the MVP award, and a huge new contract to go with it. His latest statement was a go-ahead three-run home run, a shot that carried the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays last night.

It was Cano’s seventh home run in a scalding-hot 15-game span, and his third homer in his last four home games, arguably the best start of his career.

“This is probably as good as he’s started,’’ manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s impressive. We’ve had to shuffle him around the lineup. He’s hit wherever we’ve put him. It took him a few days to get going and he’s really taken off.’’

With Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and now Kevin Youkilis all out of the Yankees lineup due to injuries, Cano has been left to shoulder much of the offensive burden. And since April 8, he has hit .391 with 17 RBIs and 13 runs.

“In the beginning of the season, I saw the ball really good and I felt really good about myself but the ball wasn’t falling. Now everything is going the right way,’’ said Cano. “That’s what you want, to be able to make good swings. … I’m not trying to hit homers. I’m just trying to go out there and get the pitches I want and make good contact.’’

After Cano got ahead of Mark Buehrle 3-1, he tagged a 91-mph two-seamer for a go-ahead homer to right in the third inning, his third homer off a left-hander after having just six last year.

“It’s fun to be on the same team with him, not only with the bat but what he’s able to do in the field. He makes this game look so easy. I’m getting a chance to watch somebody pretty special play this game,’’ said Vernon Wells, who also homered.

“There are some at-bats he’s not going to make an out. It doesn’t matter what the pitcher throws him or who’s on the mound. You have a feeling he’s fouling off some nasty pitches and if he gets a pitch to hit he’s not going to miss it. Those kinds of guys are the kind you pay to watch every night.’’

Cano is in the last season of a six-year, $57 million deal, and fired superagent Scott Boras and retained Jay-Z’s new sports agency, presumably in hopes of re-signing in The Bronx. With his 184 homers 18th on the Yankees’ all-time list and his 732 RBI 20th, It’s hard to picture him elsewhere, especially on nights like this.

“Anybody around here isn’t too surprised by it,’’ Brett Gardner said. “He’s a special hitter, he’s a special player … It’s a lot of fun to play with him.’’