Hal Steinbrenner expects the New York Yankees to snap out of their offensive funk and return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

"They've got to step it up and they know it," the owner said of the Yankees, sounding much like his late father.

After losing to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night, New York trails the American League East leader by eight games. They are 3.5 games back in the Wild Card race.