"Mark Teixeira isn't sure why his batting average has plummeted to such a miserable level.

"The weird thing is, someone told me I'm putting the ball in play more than I have in my career," he said last night. "Sometimes they just don't fall."

In the Yankees' 5-1 loss to the Rays last night, Teixeira went 0-for-2 with two walks, dropping his average to .241, his lowest since mid-April. He is perilously close to the .230s, not what's expected from a $180 million player who came into the season with a career average of .286.

From his first season in the major leagues in 2003 through his first season in pinstripes in 2009 (a year in which he hit .292), his career average was .290. But last season, Teixeira plummeted to .256. and his current .241 mark is his lowest since he was at .226 on April 19. Since June 1, he's batting .215 (26-for-121).

Teixeira said driving in runs and getting on base are most important to him. And in that respect, Teixeira is faring fine.

He entered yesterday ranked ninth in the AL in slugging percentage, and after last night that mark stood at a strong .520, thanks primarily to his 25 homers (he's on pace for 47). And he has 65 RBIs, on pace for 122, which would tie for the second most in his career. His on-base percentage is a respectable .348, and he has drawn 46 walks, second to Nick Swisher on the team."