Don't Mess With Texas: Rangers put Yankees on brink of elimination

Rangers 10
Yankees 3
Tex leads ALCS 3-1

Later today, the 2010 season could be over for the New York Yankees.

The defending world champions are going down in flames, after another gutless effort against the Texas Rangers last night in the Bronx.

Much had been made about A.J. Burnett making the start instead of CC Sabathia on short rest, but you have to give Burnett credit, he did hold a 3-2 lead heading into the sixth inning. Then it went down hill from there on one pitch to Bengie Molina.

Molina cracked a three run homer to left to give Texas a 5-3 lead, shocking Yankee Nation. Molina went 3-for-4 on the day with that homer. In fact the entire Texas lineup teed off on Burnett and the Yankee bullpen in the late innings.

Josh Hamilton blasted two homers, giving him four in this postseason, as the Rangers built an 8-3 lead. Vladimir Guerrero went 4-for-5 with a run scored and Nelson Cruz was 1-for-4 with a two run homer.

The Yankees couldn't muster any offense after the fourth inning. They had a chance to do damage, with the bases loaded in the seventh, but Nick Swisher popped up to second, and Lance Berkman sharply grounded out to Michael Young at third to end the threat.

The big key for the Yankees failure is the middle of the order. Mark Teixeria hit .000 in this ALCS, and injured his hamstring while running to first base. He is likely done for the season, which could be just one game today.

Alex Rodriguez has been in his usual October slump. A-Rod is hitting .133 in the ALCS, and .192 in the postseason. So much for all the good feeling A-Rod developed last year; the guy just can't hit when the lights are brightest.

The Yankees will try to stave off elimination when Sabathia takes the hill against C.J. Wilson. I would be shocked if this series is heading back to Texas.