Matsui, Yanks Overcome Another Shaky Bullpen Outing

ARLINGTON, Texas — Hideki Matsui came through after another shaky performance by the Yankees' bullpen.

Matsui followed Jerry Hairston's tying homer off Luis Vizcaino with a go-ahead double in eighth inning to lead the Yankees over the Texas Rangers 4–3 yesterday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Andy Pettitte handed over a 3–2 lead to the bullpen after allowing two runs and five hits in six innings with five strikeouts. But Vizcaino (2–1), who has a 5.63 ERA, gave up a homer to his second batter, the eighth blown save chance for New York's bullpen.

Derek Jeter reached against Joaquin Benoit (0–1) leading off the eighth on an infield single that extended his hitting streak to 19 games. Bobby Abreu, in a 3-for-40 slide, struck out and Jeter advanced on a wild pitch.

After Alex Rodriguez grounded out, Texas intentionally walked Jason Giambi to pitch to Matsui, who doubled deep to right-center. Giambi hesitated twice on the basepaths and was throw out at the plate.

Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save in four chances, giving the Yankees (11–14) consecutive wins after a stretch of eight losses in nine games that caused owner George Steinbrenner to consider firing manager Joe Torre.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Mike Mussina was to come off the disabled list after recovering from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since April 11. The Yankees placed Phil Hughes on the DL before the game, two days after he became the fourth New York player to injure a hamstring. On Wednesday, the Yankees fired strength and conditioning coach Marty Miller.

Giambi homered, helping send the last-place Rangers to their fourth straight loss. Texas, too, has injury issues — scheduled starter Kevin Millwood was scratched with a mild left hamstring strain and replaced by Mike Wood, who allowed three runs — two earned — and five hits in 6.1 innings.