Jason Giambi homered, Sidney Ponson beat his former Texas teammates and Mariano Rivera returned from an aching back to save New York’s 5-3 win over the Rangers on Wednesday night.

The win snapped a two-game skid and stopped the Yankees from sliding farther back in the hunt for the American League wild card, a race in which the Rangers - who had won three straight games - have also become contenders.

Ponson (7-2), released by Texas in June, gave up three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Rivera, who hadn’t pitched since Friday because of back spasms, threw a one-hit ninth for his career-best 27th consecutive save this season.

Derek Jeter had two hits and two runs batted in after attending a memorial service earlier in the day in Oklahoma City for former Yankees star and longtime broadcaster Bobby Murcer.

The victory was the fourth in 11 games for the Yankees, who avoided dropping four straight on the road for the first time this season.

New York catcher and former Rangers star Ivan Rodriguez, acquired last week from the Detroit Tigers, left with a bruised right knee in the second inning after Rangers outfielder David Murphy plowed into him at home plate. Rodriguez is day-to-day.

His status was pretty good news for the Yankees, already struggling with injuries late in the season.

New York pitcher Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the game with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder. The Yankees said Chamberlain will rest for about a week and then start a throwing program.

With Chamberlain’s timeline unknown - and Chien-Ming Wang and right-hander Phil Hughes still out - the Yankees were glad to get a solid outing from Ponson, who earned his third win since joining the club in June.

Ponson loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning before Chris Davis’ single gave Texas a 2-0 lead.

But the Yankees didn’t trail long. Robinson Cano and Jose Molina, who replaced Rodriguez, singled to start the third, and Wilson Betemit followed with a run-scoring double.

The Yankees tacked on two runs in the third off starter Tommy Hunter (0-1), who was sloppy in his second career start. He gave up five runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Michael Young homered for the Rangers.

The Rangers might soon be without Murphy, their standout rookie who was also injured in unsuccessfully trying to bowl over Rodriguez at the plate. Murphy stayed in the game, then left in the fourth with a strained ligament in his right knee.

Texas said Murphy - who leads AL rookies in RBI, hits and doubles - will have an MRI exam today.

NOTES: Rangers right-hander Kevin Millwood, who began the season as Texas’ No. 1 starter, had a bullpen session and will make a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. Millwood has been on the DL since July 26 with a right groin strain. . . . Texas designated hitter Milton Bradley missed his eighth straight start with a strained left quadriceps. Texas manager Ron Washington said Bradley could be ready to return to the lineup this weekend at Baltimore.