Beltran's deep double a welcome sign for Yankees

NEW YORK -- Joe Girardi said Monday afternoon that he still believes Carlos Beltran will hit.

For a night, Beltran proved the Yankees' manager right. He doubled to deep center field in the sixth inning, and scored a key insurance run in the Yankees' 4-1 win over the Rays.

Beltran has struggled in the early weeks of the season, with a .167 batting average and no home runs in 60 at-bats, but he's not the only struggling Yankee. He's also not the only struggling Yankee who contributed offensively to Monday's win.

Stephen Drew, who entered the game hitting .167, was on base three times, scoring the first run after a walk and bringing home Beltran with a double for the Yankees' third run.

Video: TB@NYY: Drew hits an RBI double to right off Teaford

And Brian McCann, who had only one home run in 56 at-bats when the night began, homered to break a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning, and singled and scored in the eighth.

Video: TB@NYY: McCann hits a solo homer to the second deck

Beltran has been the biggest focus of the three, because he recently turned 38 years old and because fourth outfielder Chris Young's strong early play has some calling for him to get more time.

"I think you don't lose perspective," Girardi said before Monday's game. "There are months that are tough. The important thing is to continue to send [Beltran] out there. I have confidence in him."

Beltran seems to have confidence in himself, as well.

"I'm working in the cage every day," he said Monday night. "I feel like in the cage I'm having good sessions. It's a matter of bringing it into the game."

For a night, Beltran was able to do just that, and the Yankees won for the ninth time in their last 11 games.

"Right now, it's about winning ballgames," Beltran said. "It's not about me."