Byrd slams Yankees in 9th

Chamberlain hurt in loss to Rangers

August 05, 2008|Associated Press

Marlon Byrd hit a winning grand slam in the ninth inning and the Rangers, long after Joba Chamberlain left with a shoulder injury, snapped a 10-game home losing streak to the New York Yankees with a 9-5 victory last night in Arlington, Texas.

Already missing No. 1 starter Chien-Ming Wang and righthander Phil Hughes from their rotation, the Yankees lost Chamberlain when he came out with a stiff right shoulder in the fifth.

It was uncertain whether Chamberlain would be able to make his next scheduled start, but New York is likely to be cautious with the 22-year-old righthander - even in a tight playoff race.

Pinch hitter Milton Bradley drew a walk from Damaso Marte (0-1) leading off the bottom of the ninth. Travis Metcalf ran for Bradley and, one out later, Marte walked Gerald Laird.

After Michael Young flied out, Josh Hamilton walked to load the bases and Byrd hit the next pitch from Marte into the right-center seats. Byrd was mobbed at the plate by his teammates after circling the bases with his seventh homer.

Michael Young and David Murphy also homered for the Rangers, who earned their first home win over the Yankees since July 19, 2006.

New York threatened in the ninth when Johnny Damon hit a two-out double off Eddie Guardado (3-2). Derek Jeter hit a line drive to center, where Hamilton made a tumbling catch to keep the score tied at 5.

Trailing 5-4 in the eighth, the Yankees tied it against Frank Francisco on Xavier Nady's fourth homer in 30 at-bats since being acquired July 26.

Young's three-run shot off Chamberlain in the fifth gave Texas a 5-4 lead.

Chamberlain gave up a two-out single to Byrd in the fifth and when he returned to the mound assistant trainer Steve Donohue and manager Joe Girardi ran onto the field to check on the former reliever, who pointed at his right shoulder.

Chamberlain, who gave up five runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in his 12th major league start, walked to the dugout and was replaced by Edwar Ramirez.

Jason Giambi homered and had three hits. Robinson Cano also homered for the Yankees, who had won 14 of 16 in Texas.

Indians 5, Rays 2 - Cliff Lee tied the major league lead with his 15th win and visiting Cleveland stayed unbeaten against AL East-leading Tampa Bay this season.

Lee (15-2) went seven innings, giving up two runs and eight hits. The lefthander is 9-2 in 13 road starts.

Tampa Bay's five-game winning streak ended. The Rays stayed three games ahead of Boston in the AL East.

David Dellucci hit his 100th career homer for the Indians, who improved to 20-36 on the road.

Rafael Perez pitched the final two innings to record his second save.

Akinori Iwamura drove in both runs for Tampa Bay, which fell to 43-17 at home.