(Best E Casino) - Andy Pettitte tries to bounce back from one of the worst starts of his career this evening when the New York Yankees continue their four-game series with the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Pettitte was hammered by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday, serving up nine runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 frames to fall to 12-8 on the year, while raising his earned run average to 4.18.

The 36-year-old left-hander has faced the Rangers 19 times over the course of his career and is 9-7 with a 5.36.

Texas will pin its hopes on a southpaw of its own in 22-year-old Matt Harrison, who is 2-2 with a 7.40 ERA. Harrison lost for the second time in his last three starts on Thursday against Seattle, surrendering six runs (four earned) and five hits in 4 2/3 frames.

This will be Harrison's first appearance against the Yankees.

Texas drew first blood in the opener of this series in dramatic fashion on Monday, as Marlon Byrd's grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Rangers to a thrilling 9-5 win.

Pinch-hitter Milton Bradley walked to lead off the Rangers' ninth. After New York's Damaso Marte (0-1) 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 are a season- high five games above .500 at 59-54.

Eddie Guardado (3-2) got the win after he tossed a scoreless eighth.

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.

New York may have lost more than just the game as phenom Joba Chamberlain was forced to exit with a stiff right shoulder in the fifth inning. He was sent back to New York for more tests and manager Joe Girardi expects him to miss at least one turn in the rotation.

Texas has won three of four from the Yankees this season, but New York had won 20 of 26 matchups against the Rangers the three previous seasons, including 11 of 12 in Arlington over that time.