Yankees' Robinson Cano extends hitting streak to 21

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on July 18, 2012 at 9:25 PM, updated July 18, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Yankees Cano.JPGRobinson Cano doubles in the first inning against Ricky Romero of the Toronto Blue Jays.

NEW YORK — As the Yankees embark on their seven-game West Coast road trip that begins Friday night in Oakland, second baseman Robinson Cano will be packing more than clothes and baseball equipment. He’ll be bringing along his 21-game hitting streak.

Cano, who had a second-inning single in Tuesday night’s game, wasted no time getting to 21 straight in today’s rain-shortened 6-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. In his first-inning at-bat, Cano ripped a double to deep left field, where Toronto’s Rajai Davis couldn’t close his glove on the ball.

But don’t expect the Yankees to start celebrating Cano’s streak. For Yankees manager Joe Girardi, this is all part of what everybody expects Cano to do.

“I’m excited for it now,” Girardi said before yesterday’s game. “A (now 21)-game hit streak means that he’s being productive. As far as how far it goes? I haven’t thought too much about that. I think all of us expect Robbie to have good at-bats every day and when he does that, he’s going to get his base hits. ”

Since Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio set the major-league record of 56 straight games with a hit during the 1941 season, only a handful of players have even sniffed that mark. Pete Rose came the closest, hitting in 44 straight games during the 1978 season. More recently, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins hit in 38 straight games spanning the end of the 2005 season and the start of the 2006 season. Last year, Braves second baseman Dan Uggla strung together a 33-game hitting streak.

• There was no update on the results of injured left fielder Brett Gardner’s latest MRI. Gardner experienced stiffness and soreness in his right elbow after playing a simulated game Sunday.

• Girardi said Joba Chamberlain, who is in Tampa recovering from a torn ankle ligament, is scheduled to throw Friday.

• The Blue Jays’ Brett Lawire bruised his calf when he slammed his right leg onto an unpadded railing inside a camera well while somersaulting over a cushioned railing next to the Toronto dugout in the third inning.

Jays’ slugger Jose Bautista injured his wrist swinging the bat Monday and landed on the 15-day disabled list.

• Earlier in the day, injured Yankee closer Mariano Rivera rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. ... Jets center Nick Mangold was at the game, sitting behind home plate. ... U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Simpson is not at the British Open this week because of the impending birth of his second child.

Brendan Prunty:;