Rangers power up for big lead, hold off Yanks

NEW YORK » Staring down Yankees slugger Gary Sanchez in the ninth inning, Matt Bush looked the part of a poised closer, even if the Texas Rangers right-hander hasn’t felt it this week. Not after blowing saves on Monday and Friday.

Telling himself to breathe deep, Bush struck out Sanchez, stopping New York’s charge from a seven-run deficit and giving the Rangers a 7-6 victory Sunday.

“That should be a huge confidence builder for him,” manager Jeff Banister said.

Bush, a former top-overall draft pick as a shortstop who has salvaged a career following a prison sentence for drunk driving, has felt the weight of his recent struggles. After blowing a save last Monday against Toronto, Bush gave up a tying homer to New York’s Brett Gardner on Friday in a 2-1, 10-inning loss.

“It’s very tough,” Bush said. “You think about all kinds of stuff. You think about, ‘Am I going to be able to support my fiancée? Am I going to be able to continue to play this game?’”

Bush got Sanchez swinging Sunday at a curveball in the dirt with Aaron Judge at first base, completing his ninth save. The closer said he was just trying to keep his mind in the right place on the Yankee Stadium mound.

“Look these hitters in the eye, let them know I’m coming right after them,” Bush said.

Adrian Beltre, Shin-Soo Choo and Drew Robinson each homered off starter Michael Pineda to build the Rangers’ big lead.

Robinson’s solo shot was his first major league hit and put Texas up 7-0 in the fourth inning. The Rangers improved to 11-5 over their past 16 games.

New York rallied behind homers from Sanchez and Ronald Torreyes.

In the seventh inning, New York’s Didi Gregorius lofted what would have been a go-ahead three-run homer down the right field line, but the ball was foul by about a foot.

Gregorius then singled off Alex Claudio to drive in a run and make it 7-6, but Sanchez was thrown out at third to end the inning.

“That was a mistake on my part,” Sanchez said. “I shouldn’t be the last out at third base. I kept going and thought I had a chance. I didn’t.”

Pineda (7-4) gave up seven runs in four innings, and the Yankees lost for the 10th time in 12 games since reaching a season-high 15 games over .500.

Nick Martinez (3-3) gave up four runs in five innings, including a threerun homer to Sanchez.

Judge had two hits and two walks.

BEATEN AND BRUISED

Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks will go on the disabled list after injuring his ribcage on the right side during a check swing in the first inning. He was removed from the game before the fifth inning.

“They said the process is about three to four weeks,” Hicks said. “I’ll do my best to get it done before that.”