Elvis Andrus successfully slides under the tag, manufacturing the game’s first run on a wild pitch after a steal of third. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

It’s like this season is a non-stop Gilligan’s Island marathon and we are being forced to watch it on endless loop. The Rangers 2-1 loss to the Yankees was Episode 37 of a really horrible show. Once again Gilligan comes out of the bullpen and foil their rescue.

Darvish was nearly unhittable. He could have gone ten scoreless innings but he experienced tightness in his right triceps after seven innings and only eighty-eight pitches.

Which was unfortunate for a two reasons.

One, a potential injury to the Rangers ace is never good news. Especially with Cole Hamels just a few days away from joining the rotation. It would be nice to have their two big guns going at once.

Two, it forced Jeff Banister to have to manage his bullpen. Never a good thing. After Tanner Dyson-Scheppers came in and shut the Yankees down one-two-three in the eighth inning of a scoreless game, the Rangers scored a run in the top of the ninth. It came on the legs of Elvis Andrus, who made a daring steal of third base, then scored on a wild pitch, putting Scheppers in line for the win.

Matt Bush then did to Scheppers what Scheppers has done to so many other pitchers in the past. Bush blew the save by giving up a one-out home run to Brett Gardner in the bottom of the ninth.

It happens. It happens too many times to the Rangers. It is happening too many times to Bush. But it happens.

For some reason, though, Banister chose to bring Bush back out for the tenth. Maybe it was to try to work out whatever funk he’s been in. Maybe it was to see if he could get Matt’s head on right. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t know how to manage a bullpen.

Bringing out his closer for a second inning in a non-save situation didn’t work. Bush gave up three hits and the Yankees walked off the field victorious.

The tenth inning illustrated the difference between the two teams, why one team is in first place and the other is thirteen games out.

The Rangers loaded the bases in the top of the tenth and couldn’t score. The Yankees got the key base hit when they needed and won the game. The Yankees bullpen worked. The Rangers bullpen didn’t.

Now the Rangers are left with more questions. Is Yu okay? Who is our closer? Is Gilligan going to screw this rescue up again?

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-0, 4.25) vs. Luis Cessa (0-1, 7/36)
Game time: 12:05

The Rangers have never faced Cessa.
The Yankees have never faced Bibens-Dirkx.