Texas' Byrd Flies Away to Grand Win Over Yankees

The New York Yankees suffered a crushing defeat to the Texas Rangers tonight, losing 9-5.

Joba Chamberlain started for the Yanks. He went 4.2 innings, gave up five earned runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out five. Chamberlain left the game in the fifth inning with shoulder stiffness.

Vicente Padilla took the ball for the Rangers. He lasted six innings, gave up four earned runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out five.

The Yankees scored first in the top of the first inning, getting an RBI single from the now clean-shaven Jason Giambi to score Bobby Abreu.

The score would stay at 1-0 until the top of the fourth. Giambi smacked a solo home run into the upper deck, his 21st of the year, and Robinson Cano also hit a solo homer, his tenth of the year. Oddly enough, both home runs almost landed in the exact same spot.

In the bottom of the fourth, Texas struck for two runs, as David Murphy blasted a two-run shot, his 15th long ball of the year, to make the score 3-2.

In the fifth inning, the more bizarre plays of the game took place.

In the top of the fifth, with Alex Rodriguez batting, Johnny Damon scored after two balks by Padilla. Texas manager Ron Washington did not believe Padilla balked, argued with first base umpire Alfonso Marquez, and was tossed out of the game.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Yankees turned what they thought was a 2-4-3 double play. The call was reversed as the umpire ruled the ball Ian Kinsler hit was foul, although it appeared the ball hit Kinsler while he was in the batter's box.

Kinsler eventually walked, and with two on, Michael Young clubbed a three-run homer to give Texas a 5-4 lead over New York.

In the top of the eighth, Xavier Nady tied the game at five with a solo homer, his 17th of the year and fourth as a Yankee.

The death blow was delivered in the bottom of the ninth. With Damaso Marte on in relief, he walked pinch-hitter Milton Bradley, Gerald Laird, and Josh Hamilton.

With all three men aboard, Marlon Byrd stuck a dagger through the hearts of the Yankees, crushing a grand slam, his seventh home run of the season, to give the Rangers a walk-off win over the Yankees.

Eddie Guardado picked up the win, and is now 3-2 overall. Jamey Wright recorded his 12th hold of the year, and Frank Francisco blew his fourth save of the year, as he gave up the homer to Nady.

Marte took the loss and falls to 4-1.

The Yankees did not lose any ground in the standings, as Tampa Bay and Boston both lost their games tonight.

The Bombers will look to rebound from tonight's sour defeat tomorrow night at 8:05 ET.

Andy Pettitte (12-8, 4.18 ERA) will look to do what he does best, and that is win after a Yankee loss. He will be opposed by the 22 year-old lefty Matt Harrison (2-2, 7.40 ERA).

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