"Andruw Jones blasted two home runs, Freddy Garcia won another game, and Curtis Granderson continued to assault left-handed pitchers.

It was quite the day for the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman, who put all those players in pinstripes. It also was the day that Rafael Soriano, the faux closer Cashman didn't want, officially was put on the shelf for a long time with ligament damage in his elbow, while old man Mariano Rivera continues to march on, appearing in his 1,000th game as a Yankee, the first pitcher to appear in that many games for one team.

The 7-3 win over the Blue Jays was telling in many ways, and it might offer hope for the Yankees if Nick Swisher's hitting woes continue. Swisher went 0-for-3, dropping his average to .204.

Jones, who has had his own struggles adjusting to sporadic playing time, gives the Yankees the kind of fallback that can help in a big way as they start a vital West Coast swing.

The veteran has shown himself to be a professional hitter. Swisher has had more than three times the at-bats Jones has had (152 to 50), yet Jones owns twice as many home runs (Jones four, Swisher two). Jones' three-hit day upped his average to .240.

Cashman talked about how Jones gives manager Joe Girardi another good button to push. Pushing that button a little more often would be a good thing. There is a fine line. You don't want to overuse Jones, but he deserves more at-bats, especially considering Swisher's continued struggles."