Times wires
Sunday, May 8, 2011
ARLINGTON, Texas — Derek Jeter quit thinking about it and started trying to hit the ball. That philosophy is starting to pay off for the Yankees and their much-scrutinized leadoff hitter.
Jeter homered twice after going 62 games without one and finished with four hits to raise his batting average 20 points as New York beat the Rangers 12-5 Sunday, winning two of three in their only regular-season series in Texas this season.
"Everybody needs a day like this, regardless if you're swinging well or you're not swinging well," Jeter said. "I just want to be comfortable. … It's pretty difficult to hit when you're sitting around trying to think of too many things, and I found myself thinking of things early on."
Under a microscope all season as he started slowly after a 2010 dropoff, Jeter, 36, also had three RBIs and his first stolen base of the season.
"He told me the other day he's starting to feel good and he showed it today," said CC Sabathia, who got the win despite an erratic outing.
