ot to get better.I think mathematically we can still make (finals) -

NEW YORK -- With the Yankees a season-high nine games back in the AL East and Carlos Beltran out of the starting lineup because of a leg injury, New York manager Joe Girardi sounds more concerned about a slow start that has turned into a half season of struggles.After improving to one game over .500 last weekend -- their season high was 4-2 in April -- the Yankees (37-39) had lost three straight going into Wednesdays game against the Texas Rangers.Theres a sense of urgency, Girardi said. As days tick away, you start to run out of time, and you dont want to bury yourself.Baltimore is playing extremely well. Boston has run into a few bumps here, but theyve played well. Torontos played well. And so you cant mess around too long and expect to be there.Beltran left Tuesdays game in the first inning with a tight right hamstring. Girardi said he was worried and was not sure whether Beltran would be available to pinch hit.Its not as sore as it was last night, the manager said. I dont think Im going to have Belt tomorrow, either.The 39-year-old Beltran is the Yankees top batter, hitting .297 with 19 homers and 53 RBI.You want to feel good that when you put him out there hes going to be OK, Girardi said, but in the situation that were in, you cant necessarily always wait as long as you want.Slumping Alex Rodriguez, benched against right-handed starters earlier this week, replaced Beltran as the Yankees designated hitter. New York starts a trip Friday with an interleague series against the Padres -- meaning there will be no DH.Its probably easy to manage if hes DHing, but were going to San Diego, so thats a concern, Girardi said.First baseman Mark Teixeira, who started four straight games after coming off the disabled list, was given a night off from the starting lineup.Girardi said he did not want to start Teixeira in five consecutive games following his knee injury. Rob Refsnyder replaced him at first.This kids had to adapt to a lot: a couple different position changes, Girardi said. But hes really pushed himself on here because hes made himself more versatile and he gives you really good at-bats and runs the bases well. Tyson Chandler Lakers Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Vlade Divac Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Byron-Scott-Jersey/ . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Shaquille ONeal Lakers Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Wilt Chamberlain Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Richmonds half-step back will continue for the rest of the AFL season, with the two strides forward to come next year.The Tigers were widely tipped to snare a top-four berth this season but are 13th on the ladder, four wins outside the eight, with seven rounds to go.Coach Damien Hardwick raised eyebrows after his sides round-three loss to Adelaide when he said the Tigers might need to take a half-step back to go forward after losing three elimination finals in succession.Early hopes Richmond could retool their team on the run and still play finals evaporated as the losses mounted and, with September off the agenda, the coach will continue to give opportunities to the likes of Oleg Markov, Jason Castagna and Liam McBean.Weve always spoken about those kids and weve been really excited about them but they werent ready at the start of the year, Hardwick told reporters on Thursday.We were probably at a stage where we were looking to jump up (the ladder), but thats where that half-step backwards to go two steps forward came into it.The season hasnt gone to plan for us; were well below our expected level of performance. As a coaching and playing group, we accept that and weve got to get better.I think mathematically we can still make (finals) - our focus is still on winning games - but its also about giving the side a springboard into 2017.ddddddddddddThe futures of key forward Ty Vickery and speedy defender Chris Yarran remain key issues as the Tigers plan for success.Vickery is languishing in the VFL but, while he might be out of form, he isnt out of favour.Im a big fan of Tys ... he can play, Hardwick said when quizzed on Vickerys future.Yarran returned to the club a fortnight ago after taking leave to seek treatment for a mental health issue.Calf and foot injuries have kept the former Carlton star sidelined all season and Hardwick remains unsure if hell make his debut for the club in 2016.Hell just keep working through that (rehab), he said.Hes missed a significant amount of training and, when hes right to play, hes right to play.When that is? Were not to sure at this stage. But were just here to support ... hes certainly an important player going forward.Richmond take on Essendon on Saturday at the MCG, with onballer Shaun Grigg returning from a minor knee injury at the expense of Reece Conca. ' ' '