Game 106: Mark Teixeira returns to the lineup

The Yankees let a win slip out of their hands last night when they fell to the Texas Rangers, 4-2, in the opener of a three game series down in Arlington. If it wasn't for Brett Gardner and his two solo homeruns off of Yu Darvish, the Bombers might not have scored at all with their offense continuing to struggle.

New York has now dropped three straight games since getting off to a 7-1 start following the All-Star break. Again, while their pitching staff has been great lately -- Over the team's last 16 games since July 9, Yankees starters have posted a 2.83 ERA (95.1 IP, 30 ER, 22 BB, 77 K), having allowed more than two earned runs just five times -- the offense has been a no-show too often. A pitcher can be lights out, but it means nothing if he doesn't get any run support.

Tonight's lineup vs Texas: 

LF Brett Gardner
SS Derek Jeter
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
1B Mark Teixeira
DH Carlos Beltran
C Brian McCann
3B Chase Headley
RF Zoilo Almonte
2B Brendan Ryan

Pitching matchup preview:

Brandon McCarthy will be the man on the mound tonight for the Bombers, making his fourth start with the club. The right-hander is looking to continue the good run that he's been on since joining the Bombers, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his first three starts.

McCarthy earned his second consecutive win on July 24 against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium, allowing only one earned run in six innings during a 4-2 Yankees victory.

In his career against the Rangers, McCarthy is 3-5 with a 4.41 ERA (65.1 IP, 32 ER) in 13 career appearances (11 starts).

Starting for the Rangers tonight is right-hander Nick Martinez, who came off the disabled list on July 22 and allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings against the Yankees.

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