ARLINGTON, Texas – Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer off Wayne Franklin in the eighth inning, rallying the Texas Rangers past the Yankees 2-1 last night. Blalock’s two-out homer off Franklin (0-1) skimmed over the top of the right center field fence and dropped into the Rangers bullpen.

David Dellucci and Michael Young started the eighth with consecutive singles before Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play. Blalock then hit his 19th homer, the major league-leading 157th for the Rangers.

The Yankees lost for only the third time in 14 games and dropped a half game behind Boston in the AL East, one day after taking sole possession of first place for the first time since a season-opening victory over the Red Sox.

A night after the Yankees won 11-10 in the opener of the series matching two of the three highest-scoring teams in the major leagues, pitching and defense dominated. The Yankees didn’t score off Rangers starter Chan Ho Park until the eighth, when Bubba Crosby drew a leadoff walk, moved up on Derek Jeter’s sacrifice bunt, and came around on Robinson Cano’s single.

Mike Mussina pitched six shutout innings without getting his 10th win, leaving with the game scoreless after throwing 109 pitches. Park struck out five, but allowed six hits and three walks while hitting two other batters over 109 pitches through 7 1/3 innings.

Kameron Loe (4-2) got two outs in the eighth, and Francisco Cordero worked the ninth for his 22nd save in 27 chances, getting pinch-hitter Tino Martinez to fly out with two runners on base.

Mussina struck out seven while allowing four singles and three walks in the right-hander’s 29th career start against the Rangers.

After allowing two runners against the first three hitters, Mussina faced the minimum 11 batters over the next 3 2/3 innings. Two runners reached during that stretch, but both were caught stealing by catcher Jorge Posada.

Kevin Mench and Richard Hidalgo had consecutive singles to start the fifth, but Mussina got the next three batters out.

Felix Rodriguez, activated from the DL earlier yesterday after missing 55 games recovering from left knee surgery, pitched the seventh for New York.

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The Yankees put outfielder Ruben Sierra on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a strained left hamstring. Sierra was hurt while running to first base on his two-run single in the eighth inning Monday night that gave the Yankees a wild victory over the Rangers.

“I’m much better than yesterday. I think I’ll be ready before two weeks,” Sierra said yesterday. “I felt it before I touched the base and after I ran around the base. It’s good that it’s a pull and not a tear. It’ll be fine.”

Even though Sierra said he felt better, the Yankees put him on the DL for the second time this season. Infielder Andy Phillips was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

As for the rotation, right-hander Carl Pavano could return to the mound next week when the Yankees return home. Joe Torre said yesterday that he was hopeful “that first week when we get home that [Pavano] is a possibility.”

Pavano, 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA, was put on the disabled list July 7 with right shoulder tendinitis. He has been at the team’s complex in Tampa, Fla., where he threw a 45-pitch bullpen session and two 20-pitch simulated innings Monday without any problems.

– Associated Press