Jason Giambi Homers Three Times; Justin Morneau Leads Twins to Win

Players of the Day for Thursday, May 19, 2011

American League

Justin Morneau

Things have not exactly gone the way the Twins would have liked in 2011, but they managed to take two games at Oakland, beating the A's 4-3 in 10 innings on Wednesday, then winning, 12-1, for the two-game series sweep on Thursday.

With Joe Mauer on the disabled list for an extended period, production has been well off the usual pace for the regulars, but the Twins unloaded 16 hits on a quintet of A's pitchers, with Justin Morneau leading the way.

Struggling with a .245 batting average, Morneau socked just his second home run - a two-run shot - of the season in the third inning, and also singled, doubled and scored twice in the rout.

At 15-27, the Twins still have the worst record in the AL, and remain 11 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the Central division.

National League

Jason Giambi

At the age of 41, Jason Giambi doesn't get much playing time, but he appears to be gearing up for an extended trip as the DH once interleague play gets underway, beginning - on a limited basis - on Friday.

Giambi belted three home runs and drove in all of the Rockies' run in a 7-1 victory at Philadelphia.

A three-run shot in the first was followed by two-run homers in the 3rd and 5th innings, as the Rockies earned a split in their brief, two-game series with the front-running Phillies.

Colorado continues to dog the Giants in the NL West, who remain 1/2 game in front of the Rockies after defeating the Dodgers, 3-1.