"Maybe during the season when you're a little tired, when you just go out there and play the game because you've played 20 games in a row, your natural abilities just take over."

In the postseason, Teixeira is hitting a mere .172 with two home runs and seven RBIs. And his slump has worsened in the World Series, where he is 2 for 19 with seven strikeouts.

He has not duplicated his successful first season as a Yankee after signing an eight-year, $180 million contract. Teixeira led the American League in home runs (39, tied with Carlos Pena) and RBIs (122).

But Teixeira did have a key hit in the eighth inning of Game 5, which could be the start of something. With Johnny Damon already on first and no one out, Teixeira doubled to left. Both runners scored on Alex Rodriguez's double to cut the Phillies' lead to 8-4.

"He's struggled a little bit," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's had some big hits, had a big hit last night that kind of got us going, got us back in the game. I feel good about him."

Teixeira drew a parallel between his struggles and those of his counterpart, Ryan Howard's. Howard is 3 for 19 in the World Series with 12 strikeouts.

The unusual schedule can be detrimental for streaky hitters, Teixeira said.

"Ryan and I are very similar players," Teixeira said. "When we get on hot streaks, it's tough to get us out. And we can carry a team. But when you're a power hitter and you try to hit home runs and drive in runs, you're also going to strike out. That's just the way it is."

With that said, Teixeira said he hasn't altered his approach to any great extent. It worked during a 162-game season, but things can change with the increased time off the field, the first baseman said. To combat that, Teixeira has watched more video and taken a few more swings during practice to see if he can trigger whatever is holding him back from breaking out at the plate.

Teixeira said that because of the prolonged slump, he could be expanding his strike zone and trying to do too much at the plate. But he said he hasn't exactly pinpointed the problem.

"I'm not going to make any excuses because everyone has had to deal with it," Teixeira said. "But it hasn't been easy. It definitely hasn't."

His two hits have gone for extra bases, one being a solo home run off tonight's starter, Pedro Martinez, in Game 2. Teixeira said it would be tougher for him if the Yankees were losing while he struggled. But he praised his teammates - specifically, Rodriguez - for picking up for his lost production.

And if Teixeira can rediscover his power swing with the Yankees one win away from a World Series victory, the New York lineup will be that much stronger.

"All season long, you go through peaks and valleys," Teixeira said. "Unfortunately during these playoffs, it's been tough to get in a rhythm."