MLB

GODZILLA LOOKS LIKE BAT-MAN

MINNEAPOLIS – Can Hideki Matsui win his first batting title in America? That remains to be seen. However, hitting in a lineup that houses Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, Matsui has been the Yankees’ MVP across the first two months of the season.

When he arrived in spring training Matsui couldn’t run without a noticeable limp after having his right knee operated on during the off-season. He was held out of the early exhibition games and some wondered what the left-handed hitter was going to provide. And if Jason Giambi couldn’t adequately play first base, then he would have to split time with Matsui in the designated hitter spot.

Eight weeks into the season, Giambi is OK at first and Matsui is thriving as the DH and occasional left fielder.

After last night’s 1-for-4 effort in the Yankees’ 7-6, 12-inning win over the Twins, Matsui’s .337 batting average is tops in the AL, ahead of the Texas duo of Milton Bradley and Josh Hamilton.

So, what does Matsui think about leading the league?

“We won the game, so it’s a good night,” Matsui said after Friday night’s 6-5 victory in which he went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs.

Remember when Matsui arrived in New York? His nickname was “Godzilla” for the home run power he displayed in Japan. Immediately, however, it was clear that Matsui was more than a one-trick hitter. Now, that power has flickered – he is on pace to hit just 18 homers – but the bat is sizzling.

Manager Joe Girardi has shuffled Giambi, Damon and Matsui to keep them sharp by sitting one of them against lefties when Shelley Duncan or Wilson Betemit plays first base. Nevertheless, Matsui’s bat is so hot it’s impossible for Girardi to take him out.

In Matsui’s last nine games he is batting .514 (18-for-35) and has six RBIs.

“He is going to be in the lineup most every night,” Girardi said of Matsui, whose highest average as a Yankee was .305 in 2005.

Bobby Abreu credited Matsui for providing protection for him in the lineup.

“With guys in scoring position he is the guy,” Abreu said of Matsui.

So, is the secret to success missing one third of the exhibition slate?

“It worked for [Michael] Strahan,” Girardi said of missing time in camp the way the Giants’ defensive end did last summer. “[Matsui] missed eight to 10 games and caught up pretty quickly. He is right where he needs to be. He knows what we need and is always a team guy.”

george.king@nypost.com