The New York Yankees signed veteran third baseman Eric Chavez hoping he would provide some insurance for Alex Rodriguez at third base this season. The former Oakland All-Star did just that Sunday night, singling in the game-winning run in the eighth inning while subbing for the injured Rodriguez as the Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers, 6-5.
Rodriguez was sidelined after leaving Saturday's game against Teas with a sore back and oblique. Chavez singled off left-hander Arthur Rhodes with two outs in the eighth inning, driving home Mark Teixeira from second base with the eventual winning run.
Rafael Soriano got the win for New York with a scoreless eighth inning, and Mariano Rivera earned his seventh save. CC Sabathia started and left the game with a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning, but Joba Chamberlain surrendered the tying run. Sabathia is still winless after four starts for the Yankees this season.
The Yankees got home runs from Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano and Russell Martin. The Yankees are off Monday and then travel to Toronto to begin a brief two-game series against the Blue Jays.