Yankees 2, Rangers 1 (5)
Brett Gardner belted a go-ahead solo homer in the third as host New York emerged victorious after the game was called with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning due to unplayable field conditions following a rainstorm.
A torrential downpour drenched the field at Yankee Stadium and the grounds crew had extreme difficulty putting down the tarp. The delay lasted 1 hour, 49 minutes before officials ended the night for the two teams, who are scheduled to play the series finale Thursday at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Francisco Cervelli hit a pair of doubles and scored on a balk for the Yankees, who improved to 5-1 since dropping a 3-1 decision at Baltimore on July 13 in a game called in five innings. David Phelps (5-4) moved to 4-0 in his last eight starts after allowing one run on five hits in as many frames.
Leonys Martin recorded two hits and scored on a double play in the third inning for the Rangers, who have dropped 26 of their last 31 games. Texas also was busy on the trade front, sending closer Joakim Soria to Detroit for fellow right-handers Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson.
After Texas scratched out a run in the top of the third, New York forged a 1-1 tie in unconventional fashion as Yu Darvish (9-6) was called for a balk with Cervelli on third base. The Japanese star attempted to compose himself but saw Gardner jump on his 3-1 fastball and send it over the wall in right field for his career-high 10th homer.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Texas OF Alex Rios returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sprained right ankle. Rios tested his ankle early but was caught stealing to end the first inning. ... New York INF Kelly Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left groin. ... Cervelli went 2-for-2 to improve to 13-for-39 since returning from the DL.