Texas beats Yanks 7-6 when Rivera hits Francoeur in 9th; NY had been 76-0 when leading after 8

Rivera blows it; Rangers beat Yankees 7-6

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mariano Rivera blew it, ending the New York Yankees’ perfect record when leading after eight innings.

Pitching the ninth inning with a one-run lead, Rivera allowed a tying double to Ian Kinsler, then hit Jeff Francoeur on the left shoulder with the bases loaded, giving the Texas Rangers a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday night in yet another long game.

A night after Texas won the series opener in 13 innings, lasting 5 hours, 12 minutes, this one took 4:16 — plus a 59-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fifth inning. The teams also went from using 19 pitchers on Friday night to using 14.

The Yankees were 76-0 when leading after eight before Rivera’s third blown save opportunity of the year.

Much of the crowd of 49,210 — second-largest this season — stuck around to watch the Rangers win their fourth straight game. It was the first time in franchise history that they won a game on a hit batter in their last at-bat.

The Yankees lost for the fifth time in six games. Their lead in the AL East dipped to a half-game because Tampa Bay beat Toronto 13-1.

After blowing leads of 4-2 and 5-3, the Rangers had one last chance against Rivera (3-3), who worked two innings in Friday night’s marathon.

Vladimir Guerrero started the rally with a leadoff walk and Nelson Cruz followed with a single. Kinsler doubled down the third-base line to tie it.

After an intentional walk to load the bases, Rivera’s first pitch plunked Francoeur, scoring Cruz after he hit solo homers for the tying and winning runs Friday night.

Rivera stood on the mound with his hands on his hips as Texas players rushed out of the dugout in celebration, with team owner Nolan Ryan smiling and leading the cheers from the front row. There is some added significance because the teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs.

Alex Rodriguez put New York ahead 6-5 with a three-run double in the eighth. But the Yankees ultimately were bitten by some earlier missed opportunities — leaving the bases loaded in the second and sixth, and pinch-hitter Jorge Posada hitting into a double-play with one out and the bases loaded in the seventh.

Alexi Ogando (4-1) pitched the ninth for the victory.

Rivera had converted 11 consecutive opportunities to run his total to 29 saves, and entered the game with a 1.03 ERA.

Mark Teixeira was 2 for 4 and scored twice for New York. Lance Berkman went 2 for 3 with two walks and an RBI; he has seven hits in his last 12 at-bats. Francisco Cervelli reached base in his first four plate appearances, with a single and three walks. He also walked three times Friday night.

Guerrero had three hits and two RBIs. Francoeur broke a tie earlier in the game with a sacrifice fly. Elvis Andrus and Mitch Moreland also had RBIs.

It was hot and humid before the rain. New York starter A.J. Burnett seemed to have trouble with his grip late in innings, as his sweat built up. Neither starter returned after the rain delay.

Burnett gave up two runs and four hits over four innings, with six strikeouts and three walks.

Texas starter Tommy Hunter allowed two runs and six hits over five innings, with a career-high eight strikeouts.

NOTES: Yankees SS Derek Jeter, mired in slumps of 2 for 18 and 7 for 61, did not start for just the sixth time this season. Manager Joe Girardi insisted it was because of the long game Friday night. … Hunter, who has had two strikeout-free starts this season, got his eight Ks in the first 12 outs. … Burnett ended all four of his innings with a strikeout. … Posada is scheduled to be back behind the plate Sunday after missing three starts with concussion symptoms.