How Yankees finally got ‘big deal’ Greg Bird they were waiting for

Struggling Yankees first baseman Greg Bird busted out for two home runs in a 8-1 win over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

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NEW YORK — For the past three seasons, the Yankees have dreamed about putting Greg Bird at the third spot in their lineup and leaving him there to mash.

Injuries and inconsistency have stopped that from happening.

On Friday, that Bird finally showed up, blasting two home runs in a 8-1 route of the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

“I’m happy for him and hopefully that’s something that could jumpstart him a little bit because what we believe he brings is that left-handed, on-base power guy in this ballpark, in the middle, breaking up our righties,” manager Aaron Boone said. 

“When he’s right, he’s a big deal for our offense.”

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The Yankees’ patience that Bird would finally get it going was clearly starting to wear thin.

In the midst of Bird’s horrible start — hitting .191 with just three homers and a .690 OPS in 28 games since coming off the disabled list — the Yankees called up Brandon Drury from Triple-A on Friday.

The idea: Drury, a regular third baseman, had looked comfortable enough at first base in six minor-league games and could start maybe even a couple times against the Red Sox, who are slated to throw three lefties against the Yankees this series. Drury hits right-handed and had been on a tear at Triple-A.

But Bird gave Boone at least some reason to rethink that plan. Bird’s first home run — a solo shot to left-center field — came off lefty starter Eduardo Rodriguez.

In the eighth, he homered to right field against righty reliever Justin Haley.

Boone said Bird’s breakout could have him rethink the Drury idea.

“Perhaps,” Boone said. “Perhaps. I’ll think about that a little bit. It was really good to see Birdie impact the ball.”

Bird was asked what was key to his big night.

“For me, balance is key,” he said. “Finding my balance. I really tried to slow things down and find that balance. That’s a good thing.”

Said Boone, “I feel like he’s been the one thing and what he always does is controls the strike zone. Controls the zone. Especially east and west. He’s real disciplined in laying off tough pitches. I feel like that’s been good all along and those pitches tonight that he hit out of the ballpark, that he really impacted, I feel like when he’s gotten those pitches over the last couple of weeks, it’s been a hard grounder, or a fly ball that he really hasn’t impacted.

“(Friday night), he jumped on it the other way to left field — that’s a really encouraging one. That’s not easy in this ballpark to do. Rode it out of here with some ease. And then he added one. Excited for him and just excited to see him get some significant results.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.