Major League Baseball

THAMES A BIG HIT ; STREAKY SLUGGER PROVIDES CRUCIAL HR

Published Oct. 11, 2010 10:09 p.m. ET

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Marcus Thames has always been a streak hitter who runs hot and cold, and hits home runs in bunches. The Yankees are hoping last night's longball - a two-run shot that powered them to a 6-1 AL Division Series Game 3 victory and sweep of Minnesota - is a sign he's broken out of his late-season slump for a postseason surge.

After Robinson Cano beat out a third-inning infield hit - first baseman Michael Cuddyer's throw got by pitcher Brian Duensing and hit first-base coach Mick Kelleher under the belt —Thames tagged the next pitch over the wall in right field to put the Yankees up 4-0.

The way the Twins played throughout this series, it might as well have been 14-0. The Yankees rolled to yet another sweep of Minnesota in front of 50,840 at the Stadium, and Thames - so much of an afterthought that manager Joe Girardi didn't field a single question about him since the playoffs started - got the start at DH and proved a big part of the victory.

He added a single through the hole at short the next inning, but the Bombers needed no more offense. Yankees starter Phil Hughes smothered the Twins, and sent the Bombers into next week's ALCS against either Texas or AL East rival Tampa Bay. And if history means anything, Thames could be a factor.

Thames had been batting a robust .320 through Aug. 29, but he had gone just 13-for-63 since over the last month-plus, including going 0-for-3 through the first two games of the ALDS. But he put good swings on the ball last night and showed signs of getting back on a roll.

The 33-year-old Thames - a steal on a $900,000 minor-league deal this offseason - hit half of his dozen home runs in a six-game span from Aug. 24-30, with 11 RBI in just 21 at-bats. And while he hasn't always gotten a ton of at-bats over his career, he's hit the ball a ton when given the chance.

Over the past five seasons, he's averaged a home run every 14.93 at-bats, the fourth-best ratio in the American League. With a .435 average this year against Texas, and little to do but wait now that he helped his Bombers roll to a sweep, he's one Yankee who likely will be rooting for the Rangers.

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