Yankees Battle, but Rangers Win

Fighting to catch the Angels in the AL West, the Texas Rangers on Sunday hit like they were the ones cruising with one of the best records in baseball history.

Rusty Greer homered and knocked in four runs as the Rangers used a pair of big innings to outslug the New York Yankees, 12-10.

The Yankees gave up six runs in the first inning and five runs in the sixth, but twice battled back within a run.

“I just loved the way we would come back,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “It’s not good for my stomach, but it is good for baseball. This is a fighting ball club.”

The Yankees (94-33) are trying to become the first team to win 100 games before September. With 35 games left, the Yankees are also on track to break the all-time record of 116 victories by the 1906 Chicago Cubs.

The victory, their first over the Yankees at home this season, kept the Rangers 2 1/2 games behind the Angels in the West.

It also ended a brutal 18-day stretch for Texas that included 17 games against pennant contenders New York, Boston and Cleveland. The Rangers were 7-10 during the string, including 2-5 against the Yankees.

However, the Rangers know they don’t have time to rest.

“The season doesn’t stop after this 17-game stretch,” Manager Johnny Oates said. “It’s just now starting.”

Said Greer, “My thoughts are that we need to go out and play again tomorrow.”