Thong or no thong, flailing sluggers heat up

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008 | by Bob Nightengale

There is no indication New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi lent his unconventional slump-wear to the Detroit Tigers or anyone else, but some of baseball's moribund sluggers are heating up just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

The Tigers (20-27) unleashed a season's worth of frustration on the Seattle Mariners, scoring 30 runs in their three-game sweep completed Thursday, with several prominent players breaking out of slumps.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, off to the slowest start of his career, hit two home runs Wednesday, matching his output for the previous 133 at-bats. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard also homered twice Wednesday, giving him 12 homers while hitting .195.

"Confidence-wise, I'm fine," says...