Despite the fact that Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada were the only regulars who started in Monday night's game against Kansas City, the Yankees were still able to come up with a convincing 8–2 victory.

Joe Girardi gave most of his regular starters the day off as the Yankees have already clinched the A.L. East, homefield throughout the playoffs and the best overall record in baseball this season. Girardi did opt to play Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada, who went a combined 4-for-6, including a grand slam by Cano that blew the game wide open in the seventh.

Chad Gaudin gave the Yankees another solid start, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs in 6 and 2/3 innings of work. Gaudin is now 2–0 with a 3.54 E.R.A. as a Yankee and you start to figure that Girardi will find a way to squeeze him onto the postseason roster somehow.

Ramiro Pena had a day he'll never forget as he hit his first career home run in the fifth inning. The Yankees pretended to give Pena the silent treatment when he came back into the dugout before Jorge Posada jumped up and hugged him, followed by the rest of his Yankee teammates. Pena was 2-for-4 in the game and drove in two runs.

A.J. Burnett will take the mound tonight and will make his final start of the regular season against the Royals' Anthony Lerew, who will be making just his second start of the season. Game starts at 7:05 ET.

Recap records: Seamus: 48–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11