With one game, Berkman erases a mediocre season

MINNEAPOLIS - With two big extra-base hits, Lance Berkman quickly made a lot of people forget just how much of a non-factor he was for the Yankees in the regular season.

Acquired from the Houston Astros at the trade deadline, Berkman admittedly struggled to adjust to life as a designated hitter, but he kept insisting he wasn't worried. He understood his most meaningful at-bats weren't going to take place until October, and last night he showed he's ready.

As the Yankees beat the Twins, 5-2, to take a two-games-to-none lead in this best-of-five American League Division Series, Berkman played as big a role as any of his teammates.

His solo home run in the fifth inning and RBI double in the seventh gave the Yankees a one-run lead each time, and perhaps also announced his presence as a legitimate threat in this deep Yankees lineup.

Berkman has made no secret why he approved the trade to the Yankees. After spending his entire career in Houston and making the World Series only once, he wanted to win that elusive World Series title and he knew this could be his final chance. "That's why I wanted to come over, to get a chance to play in this type of game," he said. "They were going to make the postseason with or without me in the regular season. I just want to be able to contribute now in these games here."

Calling this "the worst year of my career," Berkman said he's been most frustrated by his inability to drive the ball, especially to left-centerfield. That's a big reason why his extra-base total of 38 - 23 doubles, one triple and 14 homers - easily ranks as the lowest of his 11-year career. In 37 games with the Yankees, he hit .255 with seven doubles and one homer in 106 at-bats.

But Berkman made an adjustment in his stance recently, and that led to such a great batting-practice session before Game 1 that he told Andy Pettitte he "felt unbelievable out there." He carried that over into Game 2, driving a 2-and-0 changeup from Carl Pavano over the left-centerfield wall in the fifth.

"I know it's been frustrating for him. It really has," said Pettitte, who was teammates with Berkman with the Astros from 2004-06. "I've been telling everyone in the clubhouse that this guy to the opposite field, this guy has more power 'oppo' than any guy I've played with."

Then in the seventh, with the score tied at 2 and Jorge Posada on first base, Berkman took a close 1-and-2 pitch that was called a ball, which outraged the Twins. Berkman took full advantage of his good fortune by crushing the very next pitch to centerfield for a RBI double.

"I think this is a good beginning," Berkman said. "It's one game, but every game in the postseason is a big game, and I feel good about making a contribution. I'd like to continue to make those contributions going forward, and if I can do that, that will bond you to your teammates really quickly. It definitely helps you feel like you're doing something good."