Canton
Power surge zaps Cleveland
Slumping Yankees hit four home runs
Friday, May 9, 2008
By BEN WALKER
AP BASEBALL WRITER
NEW YORK Jason Giambi and the sluggish New York Yankees suddenly turned sluggerish.
The Yankees played home run derby Thursday, with Giambi, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit connecting in a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians that prevented a three-game sweep.
"There were big hits up and down the lineup," Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said.
A day after Damon called the Yankees' recent output "pitiful," a lineup missing injured Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada matched a season high for homers.
"I think we're going to be fine," Damon said.
Giambi, Cano and Betemit each began the day hitting well under .180. Damon has done better from the leadoff spot, and he homered for the Yankees' first run in the fourth inning and hit a go-ahead double in the fifth.
Cont...