The Yankee offense sputtered once again tonight, as they fell to the Texas Rangers by a score of 9-2. New York was able to collect 11 hits – nine coming against Ranger starter Darren Oliver – but they were held to just 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Jimmy Key took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits over five and one-third innings. Three of the hits were home runs.
Juan Gonzalez, who has killed the Yankees this season, connected on a three-run home run in the third inning to put the Rangers on the board. The Yankees were able to cut into the lead the following inning when Mariano Duncan singled home Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams. That was as close as the Yankees would get on the night.
Ivan Rodriguez, another Yankee-killer, smacked a two-run home run in the fifth off Key to push the score to 5-2. Dean Palmer added a solo shot in the sixth, and Key’s night was over. Bob Wickman allowed two more runs in the seventh, before Jeff Nelson allowed a bases loaded walk in the eighth to cap the Texas offensive barrage for the night.
The Yankees have now been outscored in this series 24-4 over the first two games. They’ll try to avoid the sweep tomorrow night, as Kenny Rogers goes against Ken Hill. Newly acquired Cecil Fielder and David Weathers are expected to be in uniform for New York.
Box score and current stats
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Yankees 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 11 1
Rangers 0 0 3 0 2 1 2 1 0 9 9 2
Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG
Jeter SS 5 0 2 0 0 0 .299 .365 .404
Girardi C 5 0 1 0 0 1 .308 .365 .384
ONeill RF 4 1 1 0 0 2 .303 .424 .453
B.Williams CF 4 1 1 0 0 0 .309 .394 .535
Martinez 1B 3 0 0 0 1 3 .294 .355 .457
Sierra DH 4 0 2 0 0 0 .258 .327 .403
Duncan 3B 4 0 3 2 0 1 .327 .344 .465
G.Williams LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 .290 .342 .467
Boggs PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .319 .397 .405
Howard 2B 3 0 1 0 0 0 .200 .226 .280
Strawberry PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .224 .350 .418
2B:Girardi (17);Duncan 2 (19) RBI:Duncan 2 (35).
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO ERA
Key L (8-8) 5.1 6 6 6 4 7 4.83
Wickman 1.1 2 2 2 3 0 3.99
Polley 0.2 1 1 1 1 1 6.75
Nelson 0.2 0 0 0 2 2 4.32
