Giambi Lifts Yanks Past A's [David Stefanini]

Jason Giambi broke out of his early season slump last night with a game winning HR in the 13th inning at Oakland. Giambi entered the 13th inning of lasts night game, with 5 hits in his last 35 at bats. Then with one swing of the bat, all Yankee fans forgot about what a slow start it has been for the former MVP winner. Giambi hits the game winner in the top of the 13th and everything is once again good in Yankee-land.

Instead of the Yankees falling 2 games below .500, they evened their record at 5 up and 5 down. However, the way this team is playing is much worse than their .500 win percentage tells us. If it was not for the play of A-Rod this team would probably not have 3 wins. Obviously their depleted pitching staff has a lot to do with it, but it has also been their very shaky defense which has given them numerous problems. Their injured pitchers should be able to come back and fix things within a few weeks, but their defense has to be there for the pitchers.

In ESPN.com's baseball ranking the Yankees are #2 behind the New York Mets. There is no need to panic about a slow start. The Yanks will be on top when it is all said and done, but for them to have a chance at making it to the World Series they are going to have to plug up a few holes in their defense and start to play with the passion that A-Rod and Jeter are showing in this young season.