Yankees Take Two From Rangers, Gain First Place in American League East

In the rubber game of a three game set from Texas, the New York Yankees defeated the Rangers in Arlington Wednesday night by a score of 9-2.

With the win and the Boston Red Sox’ loss to Minnesota, the Yankees now own a 27-20 record and share first place with the BoSox in the American League Eastern Division standings as of tonight.

“It’s where we want to be,” said Yankee manager Joe Girardi to the press about the teams' place in the standings.

“A couple weeks ago we were scuffling, and we want to be at the top. It’s been a long time coming, and the whole team contributed to it.”

Hideki Matsui was the leading man for the Yankees, clubbing two homers on the night and knocking in three runs.

His first homer came in the top of the sixth when the Yankees were leading 3-0, and made it 4-0 with a solo shot.

Matsui came up later on in the top of the seventh and smacked a two-run shot, and now has a total of seven homers of the year.

“Once we got on the road, I felt a little better at the plate,” Matsui said through his interpreter to the YES Network after the game.

“I just was not comfortable at home, and it just happened on the road. I made adjustments and applied it in the game and it worked out.”

Mark Teixeira got the Yankees their first pair of runs in the game, belting a two-run homer in the first, a blast good for his 15^th long ball of the year.

Teixeira is now second in the American League in the home run category, and has hit 12 round trippers in the month of May.

Robinson Cano also had a home run in the game, smacking his ninth dinger of the year in the top of the ninth inning.

Derek Jeter added a pair of RBI with a double to score catcher Kevin Cash in the top of the second, and Cash followed Jeter later in the top of the sixth with a double of his own to score Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner.

Overall the Yankees pounded out 15 hits in the game.

Texas was able to scratch two runs across the plate, as Ian Kinsler touched up Yankee reliever Jose Veras for a two-run homer, his 13^th big fly of 2009.

A.J. Burnett started for the Yankees, and turned in a solid outing. He went six innings, and gave up no runs on just three hits. He walked four and struck out seven.

In other good news for the Yankees, Chien-Ming Wang pitched two innings in relief. He gave up no runs on no hits and struck out two.

“It’s the best I’ve ever seen him this year,” Girardi said.

“His velocity and sink was there.”

Burnett picked up the win and is now 3-2 on the year. Tonight marked his first win since Apr. 14 at Tampa Bay.

“It’s been awhile, but I feel strong,” Burnett said.

“It was a great night all around. The offense showed up and I’m taking a positive step forward. There were a few walks, but I got deep into the game.”

Derek Holland took the loss for Texas and his record stands at 1-2.

After an off-day tomorrow, the Yankees will head to Cleveland to open up a four game wraparound series with the Indians.

Friday night the Yankees will send Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.30 ERA) to the mound to face reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee (2-5, 3.40 ERA).

Media Credit: YES Network, Yankees.com