NEW YORK -- Didi Gregorius has been working overtime with hitting coach Marcus Thames of late, trying to reverse a slide that has seen his batting average drop nearly 100 points over the span of a month. The Yankees' shortstop may finally be netting some tangible results.
Gregorius enjoyed his first two-hit game since May 3 in the Yankees' 5-1 loss to the Astros on Monday, and though one of the hits was an excuse-me dribbler down the third-base line, Gregorius said that he is feeling more balance in the box -- something he credits to keeping his right foot planted longer.
"Just trying to get better," Gregorius said. "That's my job that I want to do every day, day in, day out. I was able to get two hits [Monday], but it's the work you put in. I put in extra work all these days to try and get better. That's what I'm trying to do, to get back on that drive."

Gregorius was named the American League Player of the Month for April after batting .327/.421/.735, with eight doubles, a triple, 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 28 games, but that production has dropped precipitously in May.
In 20 games entering play on Tuesday, Gregorius was hitting .131/.170/.202, with three doubles, one homer and four RBIs, prompting manager Aaron Boone to drop Gregorius in the batting order. In a 6-for-74 funk, Gregorius occupied the No. 6 spot for Tuesday's meeting with Astros right-hander Charlie Morton.
"I think I've seen signs actually sprinkled throughout this where Didi's had his struggles, that I feel like he's close to coming out of it," Boone said. "… I think Didi is getting close to being back to what we're used to seeing with him."
Gregorius said that while the offensive woes have lasted longer than he would have anticipated, he does not believe his positive, effervescent attitude has been impacted.
"Not really. You do want to get hits, and you do also want to win the game," Gregorius said. "It's not just about me. I've been struggling, but everybody has been picking each other up. That's part of the game. You don't really focus too much on that you're actually struggling, but as long as you try to do the main things about the game, that's all you're trying to do. Try to be better."
Big ballpark, Big G
Most expected that Yankee Stadium would benefit Giancarlo Stanton's offensive prowess, which is why it has been somewhat perplexing to dissect the reigning National League MVP's struggles within his new home confines.
Stanton has done his best work away from the Bronx, batting .302/.371/.570, with six doubles, a triple, five homers and 13 RBIs in 22 road games -- a .941 OPS that slightly exceeds his career norm. Wearing pinstripes, however, Stanton's numbers shriveled to a .688 OPS in 28 home games entering play on Tuesday.

"I just don't think he's got into that long stretch where he's that MVP that everyone wants to see," Boone said. "And to me, that's about timing and rhythm. For as many ups and downs that he's had so far, he's been really productive for us. I just don't think from a timing standpoint he's ever really got it completely locked in like I know that he will at some point."
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge entered play on Tuesday leading the Majors in home RBIs (32) and on-base percentage (.496). Judge is tied with J.D. Martinez of the Red Sox for the most home runs hit at home (11).
Comeback trail
Right-hander Adam Warren (right back strain) had his Minor League rehab assignment transferred from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Double-A Trenton, and he is scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's game against Reading.
Swisher salute
Nick Swisher will be among 21 former All-Stars serving as club representatives for the 2018 MLB Draft, which will begin on Monday. Swisher will represent the Yankees at the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, N.J., alongside Victor Roldan, the club's manager of international operations.
Swisher, who hit .268/.367/.483 with 105 homers and 349 RBIs over four seasons with the Yankees from 2009-12, is currently serving as a special advisor to general manager Brian Cashman.
This date in Yankees history
May 29, 1995: Derek Jeter made his Major League debut at Seattle, starting at shortstop and batting ninth. Jeter went 0-for-5 with a strikeout as the Mariners defeated New York, 8-7, in 11 innings.