Rangers-Yankees: Damaso Marte Blows It for New York

The Yankees HAVE to start learning how to consistently score runs using small ball.

Johnny Damon, DH: (A) Damon went 2-5 with a double and a run scored.

Derek Jeter, SS: (C-) Jeter was 1-5 and got robbed of a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth when Josh Hamilton made a great sliding catch in center.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (C) Abreu was 1-4 with a run scored.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (D+) A-Rod was 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (A+) The moustache is gone and so is Giambi's slump. He went 3-4 with a homer and two RBIs.

Xavier Nady, LF: (A+) Nady continues to hit. He went 2-4 with a solo shot and is now batting .400 in pinstripes.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (C+) Cano went 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Ivan Rodriguez, C: (F) Pudge went 0-4 with a K and left two runners on base.

Justin Christian, CF: (F) Despite the fact that Christian went 0-3, I like Girardi starting him and giving the slumping Melky Cabrera the day off.

Richie Sexson, PH: (INC) I thought this guy was supposed to be good against lefties.  He struck out facing a southpaw in the ninth.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (INC) He could only watch as Byrd's grand slam flew over the wall to end the game.

Edwar Ramirez, RP: (A+) Ramirez got right back on the horse after surrendering a salami of his own the day before. He retired all four batters he faced, striking out two.

Brian Bruney, RP: (A) It's good to see Bruney back. He went an inning-and-a-third, striking out one and walking one.

Damaso Marte, RP: (F) The way I see it, Marte should be behind Rivera, Ramirez, Veras, Giese, Bruney, and Robertson in the bullpen. There's a big difference between being good in Pittsburgh and being good in New York.

Yankees Overall Grade: (D) The roller coaster continues for the Bombers. Following their biggest win of the season over the Angels on Sunday, the Yankees had a chance to pick up a game on both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox on Monday, but they faltered and lost Joba along the way.

New York still has good pitching matchups the rest of the way in this series, and they need to take the final three games.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and authorhouse.com. Jordan can be reached at jordanschwartz2003@yahoo.com

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