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Bird, Ellsbury lead Gray, Yankees over Mariners

New York Yankees batting helmets are seen during a baseball spring training workout Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at Himes Field in Tampa, Fla. Photo: Associated Press/AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Greg Bird reached base three times in his long-awaited return to the Yankees’ lineup and Jacoby Ellsbury homered and drove in four runs, leading Sonny Gray and New York over the Seattle Mariners 6-3 Saturday.

Bird singled, walked twice and scored in his first game since May 1. Hobbled by ankle and foot problems, the young first baseman could provide a spark — after his hit, the Yankee Stadium sound system played the theme song from ’70s sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

Ellsbury hit a three-run homer and an RBI single. Relegated to a role of a fourth outfielder during an injury-slowed season, he connected off Yovani Gallardo (5-10) in a matchup of playoff contenders.

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