Jeter's jaw-dropping hot streak amazes

Shortstop is hot; his team has seven-game lead

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Derek Jeter has at least two hits in 10 of the last 12 games when he has had at least two at-bats. (AP)

08/22/2009 2:04 AM ET

BOSTON -- Those who have called Derek Jeter a teammate over the past 15 seasons often don't express surprise when the captain earns superlatives on the playing field. That's part of the package, as far as they're concerned.

But there is something special going on right now, even for the eyes that have witnessed some of Jeter's greatest moments. The Yankees shortstop littered another three hits across the Fenway Park grass in New York's 20-11 win on Friday, continuing a road trip to remember.

"He's just unbelievable," Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte said. "He's probably as hot right now as I've ever seen him. It just seems like every time he gets up, he's going to get a hit. Then you think, 'Oh, he can't get a hit, he's got too many hits in a row.' Then he keeps getting hits."

Jeter will look to improve upon his eight-game hitting streak on Saturday, as the Yankees and Red Sox meet at Fenway Park for the FOX Game of the Week. Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal will help deliver the action to living rooms across the country.

And when viewers tune in, they'll no doubt be reminded that Jeter is hitting .543 (19-for-35) over that hitting streak, logging multiple hits in each of his past six games to come within one of a career high.

"It's incredible what he's doing," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's really ignited our offense. His road trip has been amazing, and he's on some kind of roll."

At times right now, it must seem to Jeter like he can get hits at will. And he didn't deny owning a certain level of confidence when he digs into the box against Red Sox starter Junichi Tazawa in the first inning on Saturday.

"You've got to try to have that mind-set all the time, even if you're scuffling a little bit," Jeter said. "You've got to try to go up there and swing at a good pitch and hit it hard. I think that's everyone's goal. Sometimes hits come in bunches. I'm just trying to have good at-bats."

Part of the key has been to get the line moving early -- Jeter has led off the game with a hit in four of the Yankees' past five games, including a ground-rule double on Friday that led to the first of a season-high 23 New York hits.

"I've been trying to get on base," Jeter said. "That's my job -- to try and get on base and score some runs. I swing at strikes and good pitches. I feel pretty good, but sometimes, even when you're not swinging the bat well, you're finding holes. I've been fortunate."

But nobody can be this lucky all the time, especially over the past six games, when Jeter is hitting .593 (16-for-27). Pettitte borrowed the wise words of an old World Series-winning teammate to sum up the attack.

"Like Scott Brosius said a long time ago, 'He's got a slump-proof swing,'" Pettitte said. "And, really, he does. It's just the way he hits. It's amazing to watch."