Game 99: Chase Headley joins the Yankees

It had a little bit of everything -- some bad pitching, some poor defense, and a lack of production from the expensive lineup.

Coming into the game having just swept the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend in a convincing fashion, the Yankees' loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday night featured the real Yankees squad that we've been watching this season, and not the one that played really well against the Reds -- one not quite built for the playoffs.

The Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the 4th, but couldn't hold on when Shane Greene and Matt Thronton gave up three runs in the 6th to fall behind 4-2. And in the end, fives hits from the Yanks' lineup were not enough to overcome five errors -- three by Greene.

Just when you thought that the Yankees had found new life over the weekend, they went back to playing like the team they really are. But maybe Chase Headley will help change things.

Tonight's lineup against Texas:

LF Brett Gardner
SS Derek Jeter
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
DH Carlos Beltran
1B Brian McCann
RF Kelly Johnson
2B Brian Roberts
C Francisco Cervelli
3B Zelous Wheeler

* Headley is listed on the Yankees' roster, but won't be in New York in time for the game. Brian Cashman told reporters that he's expected to be in around 7:30 p.m., and could pinch-hit if needed.

Pitching matchup preview:

Chase Whitley will be on the mound for the Yankees tonight, and that's not really a good thing if you're the Rangers. Texas is just 2-7 this season when facing a rookie starter, and Whitley will become the 9th rookie to face them. The other eight rookies went a combined 5-1 with a 3.88 ERA in nine starts.

In his last start, against the Baltimore Orioles on the Sunday before the All-Star break, Whitley only lasted 3.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits.

Getting the ball for the Rangers is right-hander Nick Martinez, who is making his first start since coming off of the DL after fighting discomfort in his left side. This'll be his first start since July 1, when gave up eight runs (six earned) on seven hits in five innings against the Orioles.

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