Yankees clobber Padres 8-0

 New York Yankees batter Jason Giambi follows through as he hits a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning of their American League MLB baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, May 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

Jason Giambi hit two home runs to lead the New York Yankees to their fifth successive victory, an 8-0 rout of the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.

Alex Rodriguez also homered for the Yankees, who moved a season-high five games over .500 (38-33) with their second straight shutout victory.

After a sluggish start to the season, the Yankees appear to be finding their rhythm, matching a season-high of five consecutive victories and scoring 35 runs in those five games.

Including a 13-0 whitewash on Sunday at Houston, the Yankees have tossed consecutive shutouts for the first time since May 7-8, 2005, against Oakland.

“I don’t want to speak too soon, but we’re taking good at-bats and we’re pitching well,” Giambi told reporters.