Arlington, TX (Best E Casino) - Marlon Byrd's grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the
Texas Rangers to a thrilling 9-5 win over the
New York Yankees in the opener of a four-game set.
Pinch-hitter Milton Bradley walked to lead off the Rangers' ninth. After New York's Damaso Marte struck out Ian Kinsler, Gerald Laird worked a walk. One out later, Josh Hamilton walked to load the bases for Byrd, who unloaded on a first-pitch fastball and drove it over wall in right-center for his fifth career grand slam.
Michael Young clubbed a three-run homer and David Murphy added a two-run shot for the Rangers, who have won five of their last seven games and, at 59-54, have reached their high-water mark of the season.
Texas also snapped a 10-game slide at home to the Yankees. The last time the Rangers beat New York in Arlington was July 19, 2005.
Eddie Guardado (3-2) got the win after he tossed a scoreless eighth. Texas starter Vicente Padilla was touched for four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in six innings of work. Padilla, who leads the Rangers staff with 12 wins, has not lost in four starts (2-0) since being activated from the 15-day disabled list (neck stiffness) on July 20.
Jason Giambi finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI for the Yankees, who have dropped six of their last nine contests. Robinson Cano and Xavier Nady each belted a solo homer.
Marte (0-1) was saddled with the loss. New York's Joba Chamberlain gave up five runs on eight hits while fanning five and walking two over 4 2/3 innings before a stiff right shoulder forced the young fire-baller to exit. It was the worst outing for Chamberlain since being inserted into the Yankees rotation in early June as he had not allowed more than three runs in any of his previous starts.
Trailing 4-2, Texas forged ahead in their half of the fifth on Young's home run. Ramon Vazquez began the frame with a single, followed by a walk to Kinsler. After Laird flied out, Young crushed a 2-0 fastball over the right- field wall for a 5-4 Rangers lead.
One out later, Chamberlain allowed a single to Byrd. Then New York skipper Joe Girardi and the team's trainer came out to check on the 22-year-old, who pointed to his right shoulder as the source of his discomfort. Chamberlain could not continue and was lifted for Edwar Ramirez, who finished off the inning.
Giambi and Nady opened the sixth with back-to-back singles, but the Yankees failed to score.
Frank Francisco gave up a two-out home run to Nady in the top of the eighth, which tied the game at five. Texas, though, threatened in the next frame when Murphy tripled with one out, but Marte fanned Chris Davis and got Jarrod Saltalamacchia to fly out and escape the jam.
After Johnny Damon doubled with two outs in the top of the ninth, Hamilton made a shoe-string catch on Derek Jeter's sinking liner to preserve the tie.
The Yankees got on the board in the opening frame on a two-out, RBI single by a clean-shaven Giambi, who bid adieu to his famous mustache during Sunday's dramatic 14-9 win over the AL West-leading Angels.
Giambi led off the top of the fourth with a blast over the right-field wall. One out later, Cano deposited a Padilla offering to the seats in right, but the Rangers countered in the bottom half when Byrd drew a one-out walk and Murphy followed with a shot to right.
New York picked up a run in the top of the fifth. Damon led off with a single, advanced to second on a balk and took third on a Bobby Abreu groundout. Then first base umpire Alfonso Marquez called Padilla for another balk, which allowed Damon to score and give the Yankees a 4-2 advantage. Texas manager Ron Washington came out to argue and was subsequently ejected by Marquez.
Game Notes
Byrd notched his second career walk-off homer...Both clubs left six men on base...New York's Andy Pettitte (12-8) and Texas' Matt Harrison (2-2) are scheduled to start on Tuesday.
