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 "Strange game, but it's great to get out with a win," said
Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
The teams combined for 23 runs and 27 hits, in what was a thrilling
offensive endeavor that had the home fans on their feet with their
best hitter at the plate in the final, crucial moment.
"I would want (Beltre) up there every single night," Rangers first
baseman J.P. Arencibia said.
Yankees closer David Robertson allowed two runs and had the bases to
get loaded in the final inning but got the out when it counted.
"That is about as bad as you can suck at the end and still get one
of the best hitters in baseball out...lucky," Robertson said.
For the second consecutive night, Yankees left fielder and leadoff
man Brett Gardner hammered the Rangers, going 4-for-5 while hitting
two doubles, a home run and a single. The previous evening he had
two homers and a single.
Arencibia had a big night in a losing cause, hitting two doubles and
two home runs for seven RBIs.
"I had a good game and felt good in my confidence," Arencibia said.
"I wanted to help my team win and I did my best, but it wasn't
enough."
Righty Brandon McCarthy (3-0), making his fourth start for the
Yankees, gave up nine hits and four earned runs in six innings
pitched to get the win.
Rangers' starter, right-handed Nick Martinez (1-7), took the loss,
giving up a home run to Gardner to start the night and running into
serious trouble in the sixth. His final line was six hits, six
earned runs and two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
"I stuck with my game plan (after the Gardner home run)," Martinez
said. "He is just a hot hitter right now. I would have liked to
finish tonight on a better note."
The Yankees improved to 21-7 when leading after the first inning
this season, despite falling behind in the middle frames and giving
up ground in the seventh.
The Yankees trailed 4-1 entering the sixth inning, but scored seven
runs in that frame to take command.
A Gardner double, a single from shortstop Derek Jeter and a walk to
first baseman Mark Teixeira loaded the bases. Designated hitter
Carlos Beltran drove in two runs with a single, and catcher Brian
McCann tied the score with a sacrifice fly.
Right-hander Shawn Tolleson was brought in to relieve Martinez at
that point. New York right fielder Zoilo Almonte added an RBI
single, and second baseman Brendan Ryan drove in two more with a
double.
Gardner hit a ball that bounced off the glove of right fielder Alex
Rios and then off center fielder Leonys Martin's head for an error
that scored the final run of the inning, making it 8-4.
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"He was calling for it, that is what I saw on the replay, but I never
heard him," Leonys Martin said of Rios. "I called it a little early but
we have to make that play."
Two walks helped the Yankees score two more in the seventh with Chase
Headley and Almonte getting the RBIs against Texas hurler Roman Mendez.
The Rangers got back in the game in the bottom of the seventh when
Arencibia hit a grand slam to trim the deficit to 10-8.
Teixeira made it 12-8 with a two-run homer in the top of the eighth, and
Beltre had an RBI groundout in the bottom of the inning.
In the ninth, shortstop Elvis Andrus hit a two-out, two-run single off
Robertson to get Texas within one. But with the bases loaded, Robertson
got Beltre to fly out on a 3-2 pitch.
Texas had taken the lead early in the game.
In the third, Rios and Beltre singled. Left fielder Jim Adduci plated
Rios on a single, and Beltre and Adduci came home on a double from
Arencibia, putting the Rangers on top 3-1.
Arencibia drilled a two-out solo shot in the fifth inning, pushing
Texas' advantage to three runs.
NOTES: Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira was back in the starting lineup for the
first time since July 20. A lat strain kept him on the bench until he
pinch-hit Monday. ... The Rangers are carrying 13 pitchers, the extra
being RHP Jerome Williams who started against the Oakland A's last week.
He is scheduled to start Friday in Cleveland, as RHP Nick Tepesch was
pushed back in the rotation due to a sore left knee. ... RHP Nick
Martinez started against the Yankees for the second time in one week. On
July 22, he allowed only one earned run in the Bronx but threw just 67
pitches in 5 1/3 innings. ... The Yankees won seven of their first eight
after the All-Star Break, but they lost three in a row entering Tuesday.
... Texas entered the night looking for its first two-game winning
streak since June 27-28 against the Minnesota Twins. The Rangers did not
get it.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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