Bird's bomb triggers breakout night in the Bronx

NEW YORK - While the rest of the Yankees were off to a flying start at home, Greg Bird was still grounded at the plate.

He finally joined in the fun on Sunday night.

Bird busted out of his slump with a long home run in the second inning to begin his perfect night in the batter's box while Michael Pineda pitched New York past the St. Louis Cardinals 9-3 for its seventh straight victory.