NEW YORK -- The Yankees improved to 52-48 with a rain-shortened, 2-1 win over the Rangers after the game was called in the fifth inning following a lengthy rain delay.

Heaven's fury: The skies over Yankee Stadium cracked and the clouds exploded with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, the rain coming down so hard and the wind gusting so strong that the grounds crew needed a full 13 minutes, and several abortive attempts, to cover the infield. That, in turn, led to a lengthy restoration process on the infield after a relatively brief downpour. That was followed by a lengthy discussion between both managers and the umpiring crew over the playability of the infield. While the storm lasted no more than 20 minutes, the delay totaled 1 hour and 49 minutes.

Gardner likes Yu: Brett Gardner hit his second HR off Darvish in just seven career at-bats, depositing a 3-1 fastball into the right-field seats in the third inning to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. It was also Gardner's 10th of the season, a career high and the same number that sluggers Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann have so far this season.

Tainted runs: These two offensively deficient teams each scored their first run of the game without the benefit of an RBI. The Rangers got theirs on two third-inning singles followed by a double-play grounder that scored a runner from third. The Yankees got theirs on a leadoff double by Francisco Cervelli, a groundout that moved him to third and a balk by Darvish that brought him home. Fearsome.

No no-no: Fears -- and they were legitimate -- that Darvish might no-hit the weak-hitting Yankees were dispelled early, when Headley ripped a two-out double into the right-center gap in the second. It was Headley's second hit in his first five Yankees at-bats, including Tuesday night's game winner.

Tomorrow: The finale of this four-game series pits Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 1.42) against RHP Colby Lewis (6-7, 6.37) in a matinee, first pitch at 1:05 p.m.