"We're like cockroaches," Wright said. "You just can't kill us. We keep coming back."

The Rangers certainly have been quite resilient on their current homestand. Marlon Byrd gave the Rangers their third walk-off victory in eight games with a grand slam that gave them a 9-5 victory over the Yankees on Monday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The homestand continues with the Rangers and Yankees facing off on Tuesday night in the second of their four-game series. New York had won 10 straight in Arlington before Byrd delivered his winning grand slam before 33,813 fans at the Ballpark.

"Our guys just hung in there and fought," manager Ron Washington said afterward. "I think everybody got their money's worth tonight."

Monday's victory marked the Rangers' seventh walk-off victory of the year and the third that came from a home run. Ramon Vazquez hit one on May 12 against the Mariners, and Josh Hamilton delivered against the Angels on July 9.

Vazquez also had a two-run double in the ninth inning to beat the Mariners, 11-10, last Tuesday and David Murphy had a two-run single to beat the Blue Jays in the ninth inning on Friday.

"This has been my most fun year in baseball in my life and it gets more fun every single day," Murphy said.

"It speaks volumes about our team," catcher Gerald Laird said. "We never die. This was one of our best, a grand slam walk-off against a team that's ahead of us. Our team is just unbelievable."

The Rangers are 5-3 on the homestand and five games over .500 for the first time this season.

Pitching matchup
TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (2-2, 7.40 ERA)
Harrison's starts at Rangers Ballpark have been declining. After winning his Major League debut at home, allowing two runs in seven innings to the Angels, he's had more runs allowed than innings pitched in his past two home outings. In his most recent on Thursday, he allowed six runs -- four earned -- to the Mariners in 4 2/3 innings and he walked five. "I try to concentrate on keeping the ball down here, but you don't want to put it in the dirt," he said. Harrison took the loss, giving him a 12.41 ERA in his two losses this season. Harrison will have the opportunity to improve his home numbers Tuesday in his first career start against the Yankees.

NYY: LHP Andy Pettitte (12-8, 4.18 ERA)
Pettitte completed his evening Thursday charged with nine runs on a season-high 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two, losing for just the third time in his last 14 starts. In 19 career starts against Texas, Pettitte is 9-7 with a 5.36 ERA.

Tidbits
Washington elected to use Laird at designated hitter against a right-hander Monday because of how well Laird has been swinging the bat recently. ... Doug Mathis, on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, will be in Arlington on Tuesday to begin working with pitching coach Andy Hawkins. ... Both Nelson Cruz (left quad strain) and Max Ramirez (hip flexor) saw Dr. Keith Meister on Monday and Cruz got an injection to help his quad heal. Cruz and Ramirez will go to Arizona to rehab their injuries but are weeks away from returning to action. ... Jason Giambi's home run Monday was his 35th career home run against the Rangers, tying him for the most by an active player. He's tied for third all-time behind Reggie Jackson and Jose Canseco, who hit 45 and 40 home runs, respectively, against the Rangers. Tim Salmon, Frank Thomas and George Brett also have 35 career home runs against the Rangers.

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Up next
• Wednesday: Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 0-0, 10.80) vs. Yankees (Sidney Ponson, 6-2, 4.23), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Rangers (Scott Feldman, 4-4, 4.97) vs. Yankees (Mike Mussina, 14-7, 3.44), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Friday: Rangers (Luis Mendoza, 3-4, 7.00) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie, 8-8, 3.35), 6:05 p.m. CT