Jason Giambi’s candidacy for a Gold Glove award probably took a hit last night.
The dream was fun while it lasted. Giambi looked sharp defensively on Opening Night, but last night it was back to the stark reality he’s going to cost the Yankees more than a few runs this season.
Giambi committed his first error of the year and later misplayed a pop-up in the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays at the Stadium.
A game earlier Giambi had made a sharp defensive play, snaring Marco Scutaro’s line drive that prevented Toronto from scoring in the seventh inning. But last night’s effort will not be added to the first baseman’s defensive highlight reel.
David Eckstein led off the game with a grounder that Giambi bobbled, allowing the Toronto shortstop to reach first. Mike Mussina took part of the blame, saying he broke late for first not realizing Giambi had bobbled the ball.
“I picked it up and didn’t feel Moose was going to make it in time, and tried to get to the bag,” Giambi said. “No big deal, it’s part of the game.”
Toronto took a 1-0 lead two batters later when Alex Rios drilled an RBI single off Mussina for an unearned run.
At least Giambi’s next misadventure didn’t cost the Yankees a run. Rod Barajas popped up leading off the fifth, but Giambi – with perhaps a foot or two to make the play in foul territory – dropped the ball as he approached the TV cameras near the dugout. Barajas then singled, but Eckstein hit into a double play, letting Giambi off the hook.
“There were some tricky balls tonight,” Joe Girardi said. “The effort that [Giambi] made, falling into the camera well, I thought he played well.”
Giambi went 0-for-4 at the plate, barely missing a game-tying homer in the ninth, and remains hitless after two games.
Much to Giambi’s delight, the Yankees have little choice but to keep him at first base if they intend to keep their most potent bats in the lineup. It only helps Giambi’s case that backups Wilson Betemit, Shelley Duncan and Morgan Ensberg have limited experience at the position.
“I like playing the field, that’s why I’ve never been a big fan of DHing,” Giambi said. “You’re in the game, part of the team. I love to go out there and play defense.”
mpuma@nypost.com