Broken Clock Is Right Twice in One Day: Giambi Wins It For Yanks

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.

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.