GDT: GM1 5/12/10 - DET (18-14) vs NYY (21-10) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Spark plugs igniting Yanks and Tigers

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

They could have been playing in the same outfield, but they're playing against each other this week.

One thing Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson have in common is a huge impact on their teams so far in 2010.

Gardner, who has been playing center field for the Yankees with Curtis Granderson injured, had an 11-game hitting streak snapped in Monday's 5-4 loss, but he still drew a walk and drove in a run and is batting .333 overall and .381 (16-for-42) with 12 runs, one double, one homer, four RBIs and five stolen bases over his past 12 games. His 14 stolen bases rank second in the Majors behind the 15 pilfered by Juan Pierre of the White Sox.

In other words, this diminutive spark plug is proving on a nightly basis that he's a major contributor to a championship-caliber team.

"I felt all along that Gardy was an everyday player," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's hit left-handers all the way throughout, and he's comfortable in there. ... I love what he brings to the table."

Girardi probably would have loved what rookie Jackson has been bringing to the Tigers' table, but the Yankees had to sacrifice their highly touted prospect in their offseason trade for Granderson.

All Jackson has done so far is lead the American League with 16 multihit games this season and become the first Tigers player since 1920 or earlier to notch 16 multihit games in his first 30 contests.

Jackson, who notched his 10th RBI of the season on Monday night at Comerica Park, hit safely in 27 of his first 30 big league games.

"I'm trying to be somewhat of a table setter," Jackson said. "That's my job, to get on base any way I can and get in scoring position. That's my No. 1 focus and all I'm trying to do up here."

Yankees: Swisher swinging sweetly
Right fielder Nick Swisher has driven in at least one run in seven of the Yankees' nine games in May. This month, he has five homers, which is tied with Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez for most in the Majors in May.

... Right-hander Javier Vazquez said he's ready for Tuesday's challenge after throwing two intense bullpen sessions between starts. "I think that when you struggle, confidence gets a little down," Vazquez said. "It's the same as when you're doing good. When you're doing good, confidence is way up. You know what? I feel good about [Tuesday]. Let's see how it goes."

Tigers: Cabrera a RISP machine
Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera enters Tuesday's game against the Yankees hitting .500 (19-for-38) with runners in scoring position this season. He is tops among all AL players with a .500 batting average with runners in scoring position.

... Tuesday's Detroit starter, Rick Porcello, has lost three of his past four starts and was touched up for five runs (three earned) in his most recent outing, a loss to the Twins. Both of his wins this year have come on the Tigers' home field, against the Angels and Indians. Porcello has faced the Yankees just once, and he gave up six runs on six hits and three walks in that outing. Porcello lasted just 3 2/3 innings, striking out one.

Worth noting
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter owns a .344 career batting average (163-for-474) against Detroit, the fourth-highest mark among all active players.

... Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday with flu-like symptoms after having a 102-degree fever on Sunday night. Brad Thomas made the start in Willis' place.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (2-3, 7.50 ERA)
Porcello has lost three of his last four starts, giving up fewer than five earned runs just once in those outings. Most recently, he allowed five runs, three earned, in a loss to the Twins, giving up five hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings, striking out three. The right-hander is at his best at Comerica Park this season. Both of his wins have come on the Tigers' home field, against the Angels and Indians. Porcello has faced the Yankees just once, giving up six runs on six hits and three walks. Porcello lasted just 3 2/3 that day, striking out one.

NYY: RHP Javier Vazquez (1-3, 9.78 ERA)
Vazquez will get another chance to figure out his issues as the Yankees continue their four-game series at Comerica Park. The Yankees pushed Vazquez back so he'd miss a start against the Red Sox in Boston, giving him time to throw two vigorous bullpen sessions and work on his mechanics. Something has to change -- he was raked by the White Sox for five runs in three-plus innings on May 1 and the innings-eater hasn't completed the sixth in any of his starts. Vazquez is 6-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 career starts vs. Detroit, but has not faced them since 2008.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Wednesday, May 12 - night game:
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74 ERA)) vs Yankees (RHP Phil Hughes (4-0, 1.69 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (ESPN - FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Thursday, May 13:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.50 ERA)) vs Yankees (LHP C.C. Sabathia (4-1, 3.04 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

NY Yankees AVG
Jeter, SS .286
Gardner, CF .333
Teixeira, 1B .202
Rodriguez, A, DH .286
Cano, 2B .353
Posada, C .280
Swisher, RF .306
Winn, LF .200
Pena, R, 3B .174
Totals .280

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .360
Damon, LF .295
Ordonez, DH .286
Cabrera, M, 1B .377
Boesch, RF .340
Inge, 3B .244
Santiago, 2B .297
Laird, C .147
Everett, SS .191
Totals .278

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brett Gardner grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Mark Teixeira grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder Randy Winn.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Johnny Damon swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Rodriguez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Robinson Cano singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jorge Posada flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Swisher singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Robinson Cano to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Randy Winn walks. Nick Swisher to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ramiro Pena flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to catcher Jorge Posada in foul territory.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

0-0 after 2 innings

it's showtime

dp please

finally some defense...good

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Brett Gardner walks.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
With Mark Teixeira batting, Brett Gardner steals (15) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Brett Gardner to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Alex Rodriguez flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

0-0 after 2.5 innings

oh man

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Randy Winn.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a ground ball to shortstop Derek Jeter.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Randy Winn.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

0-0 after 3 innings

oh please - are we making vasquez look good?

hmmm...porcello doing fair so far, it seeems

maybe i spoke too soon? wha happen?

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Robinson Cano grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Dropped foul pop error by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Jorge Posada doubles (6) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Nick Swisher swinging.

Rick is starting to throw his curve ball again.

gees

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Randy Winn walks.

i'm on gameday - r u watching ?

whew

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Ramiro Pena swinging.

0-0 after 3.5 innings

msgol wrote:

i'm on gameday - r u watching ?

I use gameday and mlb.tv.

Rod says Rick is trying to not let Winn have anything to hit... thus the walk...

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon lines out to shortstop Derek Jeter.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out to first baseman Mark Teixeira.