Rookie Wyatt Langford had a stellar performance with three hits, three runs scored, and two RBIs, just a night after hitting a game-ending grand slam against the Yankees. His efforts helped the Texas Rangers secure another victory over New York, winning 10-6 on Wednesday night.

Langford capped off the game with a dramatic leaping catch at the top of the left-field wall, snagging Giancarlo Stanton’s drive with two runners on base for the final out. This crucial play came after the Yankees had attempted a comeback, narrowing the score from 10-2 to 10-6 thanks to Trent Grisham’s grand slam in the ninth inning against Grant Anderson. Langford’s catch also secured Kirby Yates’ 26th save of the season in 27 opportunities.

Juan Soto, who recorded three hits, broke Nathan Eovaldi’s scoreless streak with his 38th home run, a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge, the league leader in home runs with 51, had an off night, going 0-for-3 and extending his season-high streak to nine games without a home run.

In the later innings, Grisham, who had been brought in as a defensive replacement for Soto, hit a grand slam. Duke Ellis, making his major league debut, followed with his first big league hit.

The Yankees, who have now lost six of their last eight games, remain half a game behind Baltimore for the best record in the American League and the AL East lead.

In addition to Langford’s standout performance, Nathaniel Lowe and Ezequiel Duran each contributed with run-scoring hits, while Adolis García and Josh Smith added RBI groundouts to help build a 5-0 lead against Marcus Stroman. Duran’s contributions included two RBI doubles, and García had a two-run double as part of the Rangers’ offensive onslaught.

Langford’s ninth-inning shot off Clay Holmes in a 7-4 Texas victory Tuesday night prompted Yankees manager Aaron Boone to announce a closer-by-committee approach after Holmes’ MLB-high 11th blown save.

New York had no need for a closer while losing a third consecutive series for the first time in almost two months.

Smith doubled, walked and stole a base as the leadoff hitter playing shortstop, a role that would appear to be frequent over the final 3 1/2 weeks.

With the defending World Series champs essentially out of contention, All-Star Corey Seager was placed on the injured list before the game with hip discomfort that could end the reigning World Series MVP’s third season in Texas.

The listless Yankees let the speedy Langford turn a single into a double on his RBI hit in the fourth when second baseman Gleyber Torres nonchalantly cut off Soto’s throw from right as Langford sprinted toward the bag behind him. Langford scored when Lowe followed with a single.

Eovaldi (11-7) had a 2-0 lead when the Texas right-hander pitched around Judge to load the bases in the third, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. lifted the next pitch into shallow right field to end the inning.