On the night Curtis Granderson became the first Yankee to hit three home runs and collect five hits in a game, and the first player to hit three home runs in the new Yankee Stadium, poor starting pitching and bad defense almost did the Yankees in once again.
The good news is that Granderson, after hitting a career-high 41 home runs last season, is right back at it. His three homers Thursday night came in his first three at-bats and gave him six on the season, one more than the Cubs, and carried the Yankees to a 7-6 victory over the Twins.
Granderson became the 20th Yankee to smash three home runs in a game during the regular season. Lou Gehrig once hit four home runs in a game. Babe Ruth hit three homers in a game once in the regular season and twice in the World Series. Reggie Jackson accomplished the feat in the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers, cementing his reputation as Mr. October.
The unassuming Granderson is going to have to become this team’s Mr. October. Leave it to Reggie to put the night and Granderson into perspective, telling The Post: “He might be quiet, but he’s a loud player.’’
Granderson hit a solo home run in the first, a two-run shot in the second and another solo blast in the fourth.
The Yankees (7-6) need Granderson more than ever because Alex Rodriguez has shown little power, Mark Teixeira managed his first home run last night, Robinson Cano has one home run and Russell Martin continues to struggle, batting .133.
In many ways, this is the Grandy Man’s team now. And this is the perfect ballpark for the pull hitter. Derek Jeter (four) and Granderson, the Yankees No. 1 and 2 hitters, respectively, own 10 home runs; the rest of the club has nine.
“That’s a nice big night going up to Boston,’’ Jackson said. “We haven’t really been hitting that well, so it’s nice to see somebody break out.” [Before the game] somebody said, ‘How do you think we’re doing and I said we’re 6-6. We’re so-so.’
“He’s quiet, but he’s very confident,’’ Reggie added of Granderson. “I was certainly confident in the things that I could do, maybe too confident. He’s got a good swing for this ballpark and he’s strong. It was a cool night.’’
As for accomplishing the feat in October, Reggie smiled and said, “That’s another level there.’’ It certainly is. Babe Ruth twice launched three home runs in a World Series game, in 1926 and 1928. Reggie performed his three swings of magic 35 years ago and Albert Pujols blasted three home runs in Game 3 last October against the Rangers.
These Yankees have yet to find their rhythm. They need to put together all phases of the game with the Red Sox, Rangers and Tigers on tap for the next three series. The Rangers knocked the Yankees out of the post-season two years ago. Last year, it was the Tigers.
Granderson’s big night could be the spark the Yankees need to get going. Granderson admitted he was “very amazed’’ to become the first Yankee ever to collect three home runs and five hits in a game and the first player to hit three home runs at the new Yankee Stadium.
Before the game, Granderson worked on timing issues with hitting coach Kevin Long and coaching assistant Brett Weber.
“I was struggling to get myself in a good position,’’ Granderson said. “You got to be balanced, almost to the point where you stop moving but you are ready to continue to move.’’
The Yankees need to move as well. There is no reason to panic after 13 games, but the Yankees do need to start playing better baseball.
When Granderson came to bat in the bottom of the eighth, the 40,329 fans gave him a standing ovation. They are counting on the Grandy Man to deliver so much again this season.