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ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Brian McCann #34 of the New York Yankees after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers in the top of the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 27, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Yankees game 98: Didi leads the win in Texas

New York Yankees 6 – Texas Rangers 2

The Yankees kept the hot hitting in toasty Texas.

Ivan Nova pitched a scoreless first inning but a two-out rally was tough for the Yankees starter in the second inning. Josh Hamilton hit a two-out single and Elvis Andrus made the most of the two-out at-bat and hit a double to left field, scoring the first run of the game. Leonys Martin followed with a single and scored Andrus to give the Rangers the early two-run lead.

Prior to the Yankees surrendering two runs, Mark Teixeira was robbed of a home run by Leonys Martin. The Yankees made sure the Texas outfielder couldn’t do that to them in the third inning.

Chase Headley started with a single off of Matt Harrison. Didi Gregorius entered tonight with 264 plate appearances against left-handed pitching without hitting a home run, so you see where this is going. The Yankees shortstop hit a two-run home run to right field, his fifth of the season and tied up the game. The bottom of the order kept the good times rolling when Brendan Ryan hit a line drive to left field that became a triple. After a Brett Gardner walk, Chris Young hit a sacrifice fly to give the Yankees the lead.

With a one-run lead, Ivan Nova followed with a shutdown 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half of the third. In the fourth inning, Nova worked his way into a difficult spot. After a leadoff double, Nova got a ground out but the potential tying run advanced to third. Josh Hamilton walked on a full count and Elvis Andrus was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with one out. Leonys Martin grounded into a fielder’s choice at home for the second out and a ground out to Gregorius ended the bases loaded, one out threat.

In five innings, Ivan Nova allowed two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three. It was later revealed that Nova exited the game due to arm fatigue.

The Yankees already had the lead but some power from the birthday boy is always welcomed.

In the sixth inning, Alex Rodriguez hit his 24th home run of the season, a solo blast to right field that increased the lead to two.

In the seventh inning, Carlos Beltran led off with a walk. He reached third on a double to right field by Carlos Beltran and Didi Gregorius came up big again. Gregorius hit a single to right field, scoring two and increasing the lead by four.

Following Nova’s exit after five innings, Chasen Shreve provided two scoreless innings to continue his impressive season in the bullpen.

In the eighth inning, Leonys Martin got Teixeira one more time, this time with his arm. On a two on, two-out single to center field, Teixeira, the lead runner, would get the signal to go home and was gunned down by Martin, ending the inning, much to the anger of Teixeira directed at third base coach Joe Espada.

Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth and Dellin Betances finished off tonight’s win as the Yankees continue rolling, winning three of the first four on this 10-game road trip.

 

Win – Ivan Nova (3-3)

Loss – Matt Harrison (1-2)

 

Notables

Yankees

*Didi Gregorius – 3 for 4, R, Two-run home run (5) in the 3, 4 RBI (25)

*Chase Headley – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2B

Rangers

*Elvis Andrus – 1 for 3, R, 2B, RBI (35)

*Leonys Martin – 1 for 3, BB, RBI (25)

 

Current Yankees Record: 56-42