Yanks Go Yard Recap: New York Yankees Come Close But Can’t Come All The Way Back Against Texas

One of the things that has kind of been ignored this year with all the injuries is how ineffective Andy Pettitte has been this year. Is it a little blasphemous considering what he’s meant to the organization? Maybe. However, he’s blown a lead in the past five starts and has ghastly numbers at Yankee Stadium this year. The bullpen didn’t pick him up, as the Rangers, beat the Yankees 8-5.

June 26, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (46) reacts after a botched play against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Lyle Overbay, who’s going to be an important piece of this team the rest of the way, (more on that in notes) hit his ninth homer of the season in the bottom of the second. The Rangers than got four in the third. Leonys Martin got a bunt single and stole second. Ian Kinsler walked. Elvis Andrus dropped a sac bunt and reached when Jayson Nix‘s throw pulled Robinson Cano off the bag. After a strikeout, back to back double by Adrian Beltre and A.J Pierzynski each drove in two runs.

The Yankees cut it to 4-3 in the sixth. Brett Gardner led off with a single and Ichiro Suzuki doubled. Back to back singles by Cano and Travis Hafner hit back to back singles to bring in two.

Joba Chamberlain came in for the seventh and didn’t provide relief. With one out, Andrus singled and Nelson Cruz followed with his 20th homer of the year. In the bottom half of the inning, Vernon Wells pinch-hit for Chris Stewart and singled. He went to second on a wild pitch and to third on a flyout. After a strikeout, Ichiro hit his fifth homer of the year to make it 6-5.

Lance Berkman and Mitch Moreland would add two runs in the ninth to make it 8-5.

YGY Player Of The Game: Beltre

The rubber game of the series is Thursday @ 1:05.  Derek Holland will face Phil Hughes.

Notes: Mark Teixeira will be out for the season following season ending surgery on the torn tendon sheath in his wrist. Michael Pineda excelled in his Trenton start on Tuesday, and will start again for them Sunday. Eduardo Nunez will begin a rehab assignment Thursday. Rafael De Paula was selected to the Futures Game. Tyler Austin is a part of the final vote. You can vote for him on mlb.com/futuresfinalists.