Yankees Find a Way to Win

Maybe this edition of the Yankees should be called the Bronx Bunters.

Derek Jeter bunted for a key base hit in the sixth inning Sunday with the Yankees trailing Oakland by two runs. The surprise single set up a run-scoring single by Paul O’Neill and a two-run single by Bernie Williams, and the Yankees beat the Athletics, 7-5, to extend their winning streak to five games.

New York’s 0-3 start seems like ancient history. The Yankees are 6-1 since then, and the winning streak matches their longest since Joe Torre took over as manager in 1996.

“We’re starting to get in a little groove,” Jeter said. “We said from the start, we’re 0-3, but’s it’s only three games.”

New York stole three bases Sunday, giving the Yankees 21 steals--nearly a quarter of their 1997 total (99).

“Joe told us during spring training: ‘Put pressure on them to make mistakes. If you get thrown out sometimes, it’s OK,’ ” said Darryl Strawberry, who has three steals this season and hit his third homer Sunday.

“So far, so good,” Strawberry said. “Everybody’s getting comfortable. We’re doing whatever it takes to do.”

Jeter’s bunt came with Oakland ahead, 5-3, in the sixth. A’s starter Buddy Groom walked leadoff hitter Chad Curtis on four pitches. Two outs and two pitching changes later, T.J. Mathews hit Chuck Knoblauch with a pitch and Jeter surprised third baseman Dave Magadan with a first-pitch bunt, loading the bases.

“That set up the whole inning,” A’s Manager Art Howe said.

Oakland has lost six in a row at Yankee Stadium.

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WHO: New York Yankees

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