Yanks vs Rangers 8/10/10 wrap up : Yanks don't play big in Texas

Other then the heat here in New York you would have though that tonight's game in Texas was game 1 of the playoffs. In what could end up being a playoff match up this October, the Rangers won the game in walk off fashion in the 10th inning with a David Murphy single off Mariano Rivera.

Truth be told I had never expected the Yankees to compete in this game with a line up that included Marcus Thames hitting third, Austin Kearns hitting fifth and A.J Burnett making his first start since experiencing back spasms.Burnett pitched well giving up three runs over seven innings and was saved from getting a loss when Alex Rodriguez hit a clutch solo homer to tie the score at three in the eighth.

The game would go into extra innings and Joe Girardi would summon the great Mariano Rivera to keep the Yanks in the game, but something surprising happened. Rivera would give up the walk off hit. If you are looking in the box score it will show that Rivera gave up three hits. But two of the hits were hit so soft that the Yanks could not get the runners out.

Yankees Player of the Game: Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod hit the game tying home run, and had this been pre-2009 Postseason it would have lead to a debate over if he was clutch or not. Alex also had a brilliant diving play in the tenth inning on a Vlad Guerrero ground ball that was ticketed to left field. At the time the play saved the Rangers from winning the game, but was over shadowed once Daniel Murphy got the base hit to win it.

Second Guess Move of the Game :

Sadly their are a few moves to choose from, starting with why didn't Girardi pinch hit Posada for Cervelli in the eight inning when the go ahead run was on third base. Girardi said following the game that Posada's shoulder was sore and he would not have been able to catch. If that really is the case then I think that it may be time to bring up Jesus Montero and give him a shot. I know that Montero is not much better then Posada defensively but at least he has hit in the minors, and in the spot tonight would have been able to catch had Posada been used as a pinch hitter. Cervelli hit a weak jam shot to the first baseman, and Brett Gardner continued to slump by not getting the run in.

Honorable Mention : The timing on when Girardi was going to use Mariano Rivera.

Currently the Yankee universe is in panic, the Yanks have now lost two games in a row in heart breaking fashion and Wednesdays game does not get much better with the Rangers throwing Cliff Lee. Javier Vazquez will go for the Bronx Bombers, last time out Vazquez struggled with his command and his fastball lacked velocity. If there is any consolation it is that following the Rangers series the Yanks head to Kansas City to take on the lowly Royals for four games and then head back to the stadium for games against the Tigers and Mariners.