Mariano Rivera blew his fourth save in the last ten days, and the Yanks lost a heart-breaker to the Rangers tonight, 5-4. Rivera started the ninth with a 4-3 lead, but after a walk and an error, Hank Blalock hit a 2-run single to win it for Texas. It was the fourth error of Rivera's career and it was costly.

David Wells pitched admirably again, but Rivera was awful. This was a stunning loss.

To make matters worse, Pedro Martinez pitched a complete game in Boston, and the Red Sox beat the Angels 4-2. Anahiem had the bases loaded in the ninth, but Pedro struck Tim Salmon out to end the game. Boston is now two-and-a-half games behind the Yankees and Red Sox Nation will sleep well tonight (it was a perfect night for Red Sox fans). I'll be tossing and turning. Sort of.

The Nelson trade makes it hard to be too down, but I think this game was worse than any of the recent losses against Oakland and Boston. This was was inexcusable. Plus, it wasted two monstrous home runs; one by Giambi, the other by Nick Johnson. (Johnson's solo shot put the Yanks ahead in the 7th.)

Rivera looked glum and furious on the bench. It was about as angry as you'll see him. But he didn't have anything tonight. Maybe he's in a slump too. He can join Bernie (who hit into two double plays tonight), Sori and Jorgie in dumpsville.