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Yankees look to end skid against Rangers

Aug 6, 2008 - 10:16 AM NY Yankees (61-52) at Texas (60-54), 8:00 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- A road trip to Arlington was something the New York Yankees used to point toward. Now, it's the furthest thing from a walk in the park.

The struggling Yankees try to stop their losing ways against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Losers of seven of 10, the Yankees failed to keep pace with the Boston Red Sox (65-49) and Tampa Bay Rays (67-45), who both won on Tuesday - increasing the deficit in the American League East and wild-card scramble.

The Rangers, however, have won three in a row and inched within five games in the AL wild-card race. They also trail the Yankees by 1 1/2 games in that race.

Offense led the way for the Rangers again as Josh Hamilton belted his 27th homer and Chris Davis drove in four runs during the 8-6 triumph. There was some bad news, though.

C.J. Wilson, who allowed a grand slam to Richie Sexson in the eighth, will likely be placed on the disabled list according to manager Ron Washington. Wilson's ERA has jumped to 6.10 and he has suffered from bone chips in his throwing arm. Eddie Guardado will assume the closer's duties.

Sidney Ponson (6-2, 4.23 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees looking to build on his last start in which he tossed seven scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday. However, the 31-year-old allowed seven runs and nine hits in five shaky innings on July 2 against the Rangers.

He will oppose rookie righthander Tommy Hunter (0-0, 10.80), who is coming off a rocky major league debut.

The 22-year-old surrendered six runs and eight hits in five frames against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and is 14 months removed from being selected by the Rangers with the 54th overall pick of the 2007 draft.