Giambi blasts, helps Yankees streak to 8

OAKLAND, Calif. - Jason Giambi spoke out angrily in print, then let his bat have a word or two Sunday. The beleaguered Yankees designated hitter/first baseman had the winning hit, a two-out, run-scoring double that broke a 4-4 tie as New York won its eighth straight, 6-4 over the A's.

Tino Martinez hit two more homers, while Randy Johnson strained and sweated to get his 250th win. Manager Joe Torre also reached a milestone.

Giambi's heroics occurred the day after he spoke out against Yankees management's request to send him to the minor leagues in an interview with the New York Daily News .

"I was (ticked)," Giambi told the News in Sunday's editions. He added that, in his mind, the idea of a demotion was an overreaction to his recent struggles at the plate.

"That's a situation where (going to the minors) was something they wanted to talk about, then okay, let's talk about it," he said. "But then they can come to (reporters) and say this is out there. It wasn't right."

Johnson struggled, failing to strike out a batter for the first time in nearly five years, but the Yankees rallied from a three-run deficit to the reeling A's, who lost their eighth straight.

Torre was thrilled by the Yankees' complete effort in the manager's 1,800th career victory, which pushed his team to .500 at 19-19 after a dismal April.

"We didn't really think (.500) would be here this soon, but we know it's not the ultimate goal," said Torre, who became the 13th skipper to reach the mark.

Martinez has eight homers in eight games. The Tampa native has 12 for the season and is tied with teammate Alex Rodriguez for the major-league lead.

[Last modified May 16, 2005, 01:22:06]