NEW YORK — Rain pouring off his hat, Aroldis Chapman struck out Jurickson Profar with the bases loaded in a steady storm to end the game, preserving the New York Yankees’ 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Rookie Miguel Andujar hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning and Yankees newcomer Lance Lynn turned in another strong start. New York has won five of six.
Chapman took over to begin the ninth and the Rangers tried to rally with a walk and a single. With home plate beginning to turn into a puddle, Chapman hit Adrian Beltre with a pitch to load the bases with two outs.
Chapman fell behind Profar in the count 3-1, then came back to get him to swing through strike three for his 30th save in 32 chances.
Profar also struck out with runners on second and third to end the seventh. Texas had tied it at 3 earlier that inning after recently acquired reliever Zach Britton was again shaky.
Giancarlo Stanton hit his 29th home run, connecting for the fourth time in five games for the Yankees.
Stanton singled off Chris Martin (1-3) in the seventh and Andujar hit his 17th home run. Martin, who hadn’t allowed a homer over his last 19 appearances, stood off the mound with his hands on his knees watching the ball sail over the wall.
Greg Bird, who began the day in a 4-for-40 slump, had two doubles for the Yankees.
A day after becoming the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, Ronald Guzman went 0 for 2 with two walks. Shin-Soo Choo had three hits and scored twice for Texas.
Acquired from Minnesota on July 30 for infielder Tyler Austin, Lynn was solid in his second start for New York. He began his Yankees career with 14 scoreless innings before Elvis Andrus’ RBI single in the third.
Lynn allowed one run in five innings and struck out eight.
Britton, dealt from Baltimore to the Yankees shortly before the trade deadline, walked home a run in the seventh and was pulled. Dellin Betances (3-3) balked home the tying run.
Britton has allowed five runs on six hits and six walks in 6 1/3 innings since joining New York.
Making his second start with his new team, Drew Hutchison gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: Stanton continues to deal with a sore left hamstring, manager Aaron Boone said. Although the All-Star slugger has yet to miss a start, Stanton has been limited to designated hitter duties in six of the last eight contests … INF Neil Walker returned to the lineup after missing Friday night’s game with a sore neck and an illness. After receiving treatment, Walker made his third career start in right field . OF Aaron Hicks was given the day off (rest).
Rangers: OF Nomar Mazara (right thumb sprain) went 0 for 4 Friday night as the designated hitter for Triple-A Round Rock. Manager Jeff Banister is hopeful to see Mazara play consecutive nine-inning games in the field before being activated. Mazara logged five innings in right in his fist rehab game on Aug. 9.
UP NEXT
In a matchup of left-handers, Texas’ Martin Perez (2-4, 6.15 ERA) takes on CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.49 ERA) in the series finale. Perez has allowed 12 earned runs in 12 2-3 career innings against New York, despite a 2-1 record, while Sabathia looks for his 12th career victory over the Rangers.
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