NEW YORK -- The last time the New York Yankees had been under .500 during the second half of a season was in 1995, when Alex Rodriguez was a rookie shortstop with the Seattle Mariners.But after Michael Pineda allowed three homers in a 5-3 defeat to the Boston Red Sox on Friday night, New York has a losing record after the All-Star break for the first time in more than two decades.Rodriguez, who ended knuckleballer Steven Wrights perfect-game bid with two-out infield single in the fifth inning, took grounders at first base before the game. Having lost his everyday designated hitter job due to a season-long slump, A-Rod hopes to make himself more versatile as his 41st birthday approaches on July 27.Last year, I think I had over 600 at-bats, so the focus for me was to be in the lineup every day and do damage, Rodriguez said. I think this year is a different year, different circumstances, so Im open to it.Rodriguez has not played in the field this year. He had two appearances at first last season, playing the entire game April 11 against Boston and moving there for the final three outs of a blowout loss to Texas on May 23.Last year we were not able to get him comfortable. He wants to try it again, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. He came to us, and Im not going to deny a player a chance, in that sense, so the fact that he wants to try to get comfortable is a good sign.Rodriguez is hitting .221 with eight homers and 28 RBI in 190 at-bats, including .202 with five homers and 17 RBI in 129 at-bats against righties. A-Rod was 1 for 4 Friday night, when he made just his second start since June 30.I think its a mental test for him, in a sense, Girardi said. Physically, I think he has the skills. He has the hands. He has the ability to throw. He understands the game. So I think its more of a mental: Do I feel comfortable enough to go out there at first base?Girardi would like more options at first. Mark Teixeira, Dustin Ackley, Greg Bird and Chris Parmelee have all spent time on the disabled list. Now that hes back, Teixeira is restricted by his right knee.Four days has been about his limit. He gets fairly sore, Girardi said.A-Rod, whose contract runs through 2017, admitted lack of playing time sparked his decision.First base is a lot more challenging than I think people give it credit, he said. For me, its the most underrated part of a defensive team.Girardi also disclosed that struggling Nathan Eovaldi will rejoin the rotation Tuesday against Baltimore, a day after Ivan Nova starts the series opener. Eovaldi allowed two hits over 1 1/3 innings in his third relief appearance.New York is 45-46, 5 1/2 games back of the ALs second wild card and in danger of its first losing season since 1992. Only four Yankees had outstanding first halves: right fielder Carlos Beltran, and relievers Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman.Consistency is the word thats going to ring out loud here, Girardi said. Thats how you put long streaks together where you win six out of seven, you win 14 out of 17, if your starting pitching is consistent. Our offense has to be consistent, where we put up runs on a consistent basis. And the other thing I think is really important is the bullpen besides the last three guys.Beltrans two-run single and Brian McCanns RBI grounder in a three-run sixth were the offensive highlights for the Yankees, who managed four hits.Pineda (3-9) had his second straight poor performance, looking frustrated as he kicked at the mound after the long balls. He gave up five runs and five hits in five-plus innings, leaving him with a 5.56 ERA and 18 home runs allowed in 18 starts this season.Its just not executing when he needs to execute, Girardi said.The 10-game homestand, which ends with three games against San Francisco, likely will determine whether the Yankees start to deal veterans before the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Every loss increases the sense of urgency.Of course there is, Girardi said. You start to run out of days.IN THE SEATSIndiana Gov. Mike Pence, announced by Donald Trump as his pick for Republican vice presidential nominee, was in the crowd of 47,459, the Yankees fourth home sellout this season.UP NEXTLHP CC Sabathia (5-6) is scheduled to start Saturday for New York, and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3) for Boston following his recall from the minors on Friday. Sabathia has allowed 22 runs -- 21 earned -- in his last four starts after giving up 15 earned runs in his first 11. Wholesale Hawks Jerseys . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Zelmo Beaty Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. https://www.cheaphawks.com/1394r-tom-mcmillen-jersey-hawks.html . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Cam Reddish Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Lou Hudson Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Kyle Williams would prefer seeing far more consistency before declaring the Buffalo Bills defense being much improved over last season.We played decent Week 1. Bad Week 2. Better last week, the veteran defensive tackle said. You cant have missing weeks in there.The dud Williams referred to was a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2, when Buffalo allowed 493 yards and four touchdowns.On the bright side, the defense opened the season allowing 308 yards in a 13-7 loss at Baltimore. And the Bills bounced back from their loss to the Jets by forcing five takeaways and getting five sacks in a 33-18 win over Arizona last weekend.This is no time for the up-and-down trend to continue with Buffalo (1-2) facing a key early season matchup at AFC East rival New England (3-0) on Sunday.If the Bills are going to back up coach Rex Ryans offseason vow that his prized defense will overcome its struggles last season, theres no more opportune time than against a Patriots opponent dealing with questions at quarterback .Tom Brady, who has a 25-3 record against Buffalo, is out serving the fourth and final game of his Deflategate suspension.Backup Jimmy Garoppolo has a sprained shoulder and rookie third-stringer Jacoby Brissett hurt the thumb on his throwing hand. Though both practiced this week, there remains a possibility of receiver Julian Edelman -- who last played quarterback at Kent State in 2008 -- taking snaps behind center.Rather than concerning himself with the uncertainty of which quarterback will play, Ryan is confident in his defenses ability to contain the Patriots because Buffalo wont be facing Brady.Ill say thats a true statement, Ryan said. These guys are good, but I dont know if theyll rank quite up there with Tom Brady.Aside from the loss to the Jets, the Bills defense has shown promising signs of being better than the high-priced unit which underaachieved during Ryans first season.dddddddddddduffalo finished 19th in yards allowed -- the worst finish by a Ryan-coached defense in his 11 seasons as coach or coordinator. And it managed 21 sacks, a franchise-low for a 16-game season, and a season after the Bills led the league with 54.The Bills already have 10 sacks this season, the most through the first three weeks of a season since Buffalo had 11 in 2006, and theyre tied for fifth with seven takeaways (four interceptions and three fumbles).The production is occurring despite Buffalo missing several key players.Star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy. Buffalos top two draft picks and projected starters, linebackers Shaq Lawson (shoulder surgery) and Reggie Ragland (left knee), are sidelined. And dont forget the Bills cut their top pass-rushing threat, Mario Williams, in March.Ryan disputes the notion his defense is doing more with less.I like the talent that we have here, he said.Ryan will acknowledge the unit is playing with more cohesion.Safety Aaron Williams agrees.The biggest thing is communication, Williams said. Were all on the same page.Thats a difference from last season when the defense, at times, didnt appear to be reading the same book.Led by Mario Williams, several players publicly questioned whether they fit Ryans system. Ryan also acknowledged he made the mistake of attempting to combine his philosophies with those of Jim Schwartz, Buffalos defensive coordinator the previous season.I think were playing smarter and that could be a combination of a lot of things, Ryan said. And thats why I think well be a better defense this year.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
