Back on June 6, after Jason Giambi's pinch hit home run gave the Yankees a walk-off 9-8 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, I wrote how Giambi had finally found his niche with New York as their offensive closer.
And just two-and-a-half months later, Joe Girardi got it right again, as he sat the .251 hitter until they really needed a big blast in the seventh. That's when Giambi stepped to the plate, hit a foul ball to my girlfriend Jen - who was sitting five rows off the third base line while I followed the game online at work (thanks, baby) - and then delivered on the very next pitch with a two-run homer to tie the game.
But he wasn't done yet.
Lightning struck again when Giambi picked up his second hit in seven career at bats against Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon - a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth.
Giambi’s a .204 hitter with runners in scoring position and two outs this season, and a .207 hitter when batting fifth, but he's 3-6 as a pinch hitter.
Keep that man on the bench!
Here are the grades from the Yankees' near meaningless 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox Thursday afternoon.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Joe Girardi, Manager: (A) He sat Giambi to start the game, brought him in at the right time, and let Mussina throw 113 pitches. That's an A performance in my book.
Johnny Damon, CF: (D-) 0-3 with two strikeouts but reached once via a hit by pitch.
Derek Jeter, SS: (A) It must be frustrating carrying a team almost every day for 13 seasons. At least he got some help on Thursday.
Bobby Abreu, RF: (C-) 1-4 and left two men on.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (F) Just another choke-filled day for A-Rod, who went 0-4 with three strikeouts and left four runners on base.
Xavier Nady, LF: (C) His single started the game-winning rally in the ninth, but it was his only hit in four at bats and he also left four men on.
Robinson Cano, 2B: (F) 0-4.
Hideki Matsui, DH: (D+) Godzilla was 0-3 with an intentional walk and two Ks.
Cody Ransom, 1B: (A) The Yankees are now 3-0 in games in which Ransom gets an at bat.
Jose Molina, C: (C) Molina was 0-2 with a strikeout but he threw out Jacoby Ellsbury trying to steal second and he caught a good game.
Brett Gardner, PR: (B+) Pinch ran for Nady in the ninth, when he stole second and scored the winning run.
Ivan Rodriguez, C: (B) Drew a big walk to keep the rally going in the ninth.
Jason Giambi, PH-1B: (A+) I'm surprised he didn't wait until they were actually mathematically eliminated before deciding to get some clutch hits.
Mike Mussina, SP: (A) Another seven strong innings that don't net him a win.
Brian Bruney, RP: (B) Retired the only batter he faced in the eighth.
Damaso Marte, RP: (B) Ditto.
Mariano Rivera, RP: (A) Pitched a scoreless inning and a third for the win.
Yankees Overall Grade: (B) The Yankees are still six games behind Boston with only 29 to play, but at least they handed the Red Sox one last dramatic loss in what will most likely be their final trip to the old Yankee Stadium.
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2 months ago
Keep giambi on the bech and play who? How do you propose the Yankees replace Gaimbi's numbers -outside of his batting average? His HR and RBI - who replaces them? He has 50 less at bats then the other 2 above him in RBI and has the second most HR on the team.
Cant really replace him with Nady and play Melky- and expect great offensive strides....melky cant hit this year - but hopefully that changes.
IMO They need Giambi in every game for the rest of the loser of a season - and sit those that cant hit at all - nod to jose molina - the best defensive cather on the team, with the worst of all bats.
- you know me, the Big G Fan...I support him b/c he gets enough heat by the rest of the press already - but I liked your article alot - 5 stars!
Ps- Hey Jordan, NY placed Pavano on waivers today...what are your thoughts - Hughes? 8.5 in the minors since rehab. Kennedy? one of them plus rasner spells bad news for the Yankees - who are they going to pitch IF...big if...Pavano is picked up?
PR
from 2 months ago
I'd play Ransom over Giambi. It worked out today. Ransom got on two of three times and Giambi came up big as a pinch hitter. I'm not saying Ransom is going to keep hitting .750, but there's a good chance he'll be better than a .200 hitter with runners in scoring position and two outs.
As for Pavano, I'm surprised they put him on waivers. I'm not sure exactly why they would do that. Maybe they want to get something for him before letting him just walk away at the end of the season.
2 months ago
Ransom was put on waivers too - I think, though I agree, he is making a good statement...if Giambi were to be a becnh guy alone, then I would say that the bench just got a big improvement - which, again, I say finally...its been awhile since NY has had one...great write.
Good answer on Pavano too, thats exactly they waived on him. If he does leave - which he will - wont NY get 2 compensatory picks? the same goes for G, Abreu, Moose and Pet too ..NY would get picks in the draft based on the departing Free Agents value
PR
from 2 months ago
I didn't know about that rule, but I hope Abreu, Moose and Pettitte returns. I'm sorry, but your boy Giambi needs to go.
2 months ago
They only get 2 compensation choices if arbitration is offered and they are considered a grade A free agent. They won't offer Giambi arbitration because he would get a pay raise most likely. Also, given his age, at 37, nobody will make a 2-3 year offer for his services.
Abreu, Mussina and Pettitte, if offered arbitration would net them picks because they are all grade A free agents. Pudge is now a grabe B free agent according to Peter Abraham of Lohud blogs.
2 months ago
They only get 2 compensation choices if arbitration is offered and they are considered a grade A free agent. They won't offer Giambi arbitration because he would get a pay raise most likely. Also, given his age, at 37, nobody will make a 2-3 year offer for his services.
Abreu, Mussina and Pettitte, if offered arbitration would net them picks because they are all grade A free agents. Pudge is now a grade B free agent according to Peter Abraham of Lohud blogs.
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