Yankees Slug Rangers, 6-1

Giambi, A-Rod go deep in the heart of Texas

On Friday night the Yankees jumped out to a big lead and hung on tight as their bullpen nearly tossed the game away. The Yankees would have a big inning again Saturday night, but this time the pen slammed the door shut on any thought of a Rangers comeback.

Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez both homered as the Yankees took a 6-1 lead and never looked back. Shawn Chacon (4-1) won his fourth straight decision despite walking the tightrope in the early going. Rangers starter Kameron Loe (1-3) struck out Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter to start the game and fired up the crowd in the process. He then got a head of Giambi 1-2, before Giambi, who walked twice in the game, worked the count full. Loe's next pitch caught too much of the plate and Giambi's bat caught all of the ball, sending it over the 400 foot sign in straight-away center field for a 1-0 lead.

Texas quickly tied it off Chacon in the bottom of the first when Hank Blalock's 2-out single drove in Michael Young. With two men aboard Kevin Mench than drove one to deep center. Damon got a good jump on the ball and caught it with his glove outstretched before crashing into the wall.

Texas threatened again in the fourth, loading the bases on a double by Phil Nevin and two-out walks by Brad Wilkerson and Rod Barajas. Chacon hung tough though, getting Mark DeRosa to hit into a force-out to end the threat.

The Yankees snapped the tie and broke the game open in the sixth. After leading off with a single, Damon attempted to steal second. The Rangers called for a pitch out , but neither shortstop Michael Young or second baseman Mark DeRosa covered second base. Catcher Rod Barajas's throw sailed into center field, Damon taking third on the play. Derek Jeter followed with a single to give the Bombers a 2-1 lead. After a walk to Giambi, Alex Rodriguez sent Loe to the showers with a 3-run home run to deep left field. The Yankees added one final run off of reliever Ron Mahay on singles by Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, and Bubba Crosby. Crosby was filling in for Gary Sheffield who sat out with continued pain and inflexibility in his left wrist.

Chacon left after 6 1-3 innings, with a pitching line Yankees fans have become accustomed too. 5 hits and 4 walks allowed, but just one run given up. He also struck out 6. Tanyon Sturtze and Scott Proctor finished up in uneventful fashion, much to the delight of Joe Torre, who won his 999th game as Yankees manager.

Notes

Joe Torre checked with Gary Sheffield before the game about his availability. When Torre discovered that Sheffield was not 100%, he put Bubba Crosby in right field and put Alex Rodriguez back in the clean up spot. Sheffield will most likely sit out on Sunday too.