GDT: 8/17/10 - DET (58-60) AT NYY (72-46) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Verlander, CC square off in Bronx

By Gina Mizell / MLB.com

Two of the best arms in the American League will square off for the second time this season when Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia lock heads in the second of a four-game series between the Tigers and Yankees on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

And Sabathia will certainly be looking for better results than the last time the pair of aces matched up on May 13.

The Yankees southpaw allowed a season-high six earned runs on nine hits over six innings while tossing just 79 pitches in that contest. He gave up back-to-back home runs to Miguel Cabrera and Brennan Boesch in the fourth inning, marking the only time that has happened against the American League Cy Young candidate this season.

"I felt pretty good, actually," Sabathia said after that game. "I just hung a couple of balls, but when my pitches were right, they were swinging early in the count and getting ground balls. It's just one of those days today where I kind of lost it."

Verlander countered arguably Sabathia's worst outing of the season with one of his best, as he gave up four hits in 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball.

"I've had a bunch of matchups against marquee guys like CC," Verlander said after that game. "You just learn to not worry about what they are doing. You go out there and pitch your game and make your pitches. Hopefully, your team can battle and scratch across some runs."

Sabathia and Verlander are coming off victories in their last starts on Aug. 11. Sabathia allowed three earned runs on 10 hits and two walks at Kansas City to tie for the AL lead with his 15th win, while Verlander struck out seven batters in six innings while giving up six hits and three walks.

Tigers: Valverde returns
After missing Detroit's entire weekend series against the White Sox with a right abdominal strain, closer Jose Valverde returned to action against the Yankees on Monday and picked up the four-out save despite walking in a run in the ninth inning. He struggled with his control, allowing four free passes while throwing just 16 strikes out of his 38 total pitches. Still, Valverde has converted 23 consecutive save opportunities, which is the third-longest streak in club history. Additionally, the Tigers recalled left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth from Triple-A Toledo on Monday and optioned outfielder Jeff Frazier to Toledo to help pad the bullpen.

Yankees: Close calls
New York has been involved in a slew of close games as of late, as six of the Yankees' last eight contests have been decided by one run, including five of six on their most recent road trip. Four of New York's last five losses have been by one run, which has been particularly agitating for Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "We lost three one-run games on that road trip, and those are tough for us to swallow," Giradi said. "We're in a little streak where we're playing .500, and we need to get hot again."

Worth noting
With the decisive two-run homer in the second inning on Monday, Ryan Raburn is batting .349 (15-of-43) over his last 11 games with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

... Cabrera is batting .348 (71-of-204) on the road this season, and his 16 home runs and 52 RBIs away from home were the best in the Majors entering Monday.

... With three intentional walks on Sunday, Cabrera now has 20 on the season, the most in franchise history (Norm Cash, 19, 1961).

... Derek Jeter has hit safely in 14 of his last 18 games (23-of-76), with 15 runs scored during that stretch. He's batting .307 (20-of-65) in August.

... The Yankees' bullpen has held opponents scoreless in 16 of its last 20 contests dating back to July 26, with seven earned runs allowed in 53 2/3 innings pitched. David Robertson has not allowed a run in his last 16 appearances (15 2/3 innings).

... A throwing error by Jeter in the fifth inning on Monday snapped a 52-game streak without a miscue in the field for the shortstop.

... Mark Teixeria has reached base safely in 56 of his last 60 games since June 6 and is one of two Major Leaguers with 80 runs scored and 80 RBIs (Josh Hamilton).

... Robinson Cano (77 runs, 73 RBIs) and Teixeria (86 runs, 86 RBIs) are the only set of teammates in the Majors to each have 70 RBIs and 70 runs scored.

... Alex Rodriguez (151-of-449) and Jeter (165-of-491) are each hitting .336 against Detroit in their careers.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.72 ERA)
Verlander stopped a Tigers skid in its tracks with a solid outing vs. the Rays last Wednesday in Detroit, but more important for his outing was his ability to find a middle ground between commanding his fastball and controlling his offspeed stuff.

YANKEES: LHP CC Sabathia (15-5, 3.14 ERA)
Sabathia nearly went the distance in his last start, allowing three runs and finishing one out shy of a complete game in a win over the Royals. He's gone at least eight innings in back-to-back outings, and he's won seven of his past 10 starts.




INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
• OF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle fracture, 15-day DL on July 25),
• LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Wednesday, August 18,
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (6-8, 5.16 ERA)) AT Yankees (RHP Dustin Moseley (2-2, 4.41 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD & ESPN / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Thursday, August 19,
TIGERS (RHP Rick Porcello (5-10, 5.53 ERA)) AT Yankees (RHP Phil Hughes (13-5, 3.94 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD & MLB NETWORK / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Friday, August 20,
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (3-5, 4.53 ERA)) VS Indians (RHP Justin Masterson (4-11, 5.23 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD & / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .302
Santiago, 2B .275
Damon, DH .276
Cabrera, M, 1B .340
Peralta, J, SS .239
Raburn, LF .237
Inge, 3B .252
Boesch, RF .273
Laird, C .192
Totals .266

NY Yankees AVG
Gardner, LF .284
Jeter, SS .278
Teixeira, 1B .254
Cano, 2B .322
Swisher, RF .292
Posada, C .251
Thames, DH .316
Granderson, CF .247
Pena, R, 3B .204
Totals .268

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Jackson homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.

DET 1, NYY 0

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta lines out softly to pitcher CC Sabathia.

DET 1, NYY 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Brett Gardner singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Derek Jeter walks. Brett Gardner to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Mark Teixeira flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Brett Gardner to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Robinson Cano walks. Derek Jeter to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Nick Swisher singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Ryan
Raburn. Brett Gardner scores. Derek Jeter scores. Robinson Cano to 2nd.


NYY 2, DET 1



B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Jorge Posada walks. Robinson Cano to 3rd. Nick Swisher to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Marcus Thames grounds into double play, pitcher Justin Verlander to
catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Robinson Cano out
at home.

NYY 2, DET 1 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

NYY 2, DET 1 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson homers (12) on a fly ball to right field.

NYY 3, DET 1

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Ramiro Pena singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brett Gardner out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Justin Verlander to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Ramiro Pena to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Derek Jeter walks.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Robinson Cano flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

NYY 3, DET 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Brett Gardner.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds into double play, shortstop Derek Jeter to
second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira. Gerald
Laird out at 2nd.

NYY 3, DET 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Nick Swisher grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Jorge Posada hit by pitch.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Marcus Thames out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Curtis Granderson batting, Jorge Posada steals (3) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

NYY 3, DET 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Johnny Damon walks.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by CC Sabathia, Johnny Damon to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Johnny Damon to 3rd.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

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

NYY 3, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ramiro Pena pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

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

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Derek Jeter batting, Brett Gardner steals (34) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
On-field Delay.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Derek Jeter out swinging.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Mark Teixeira out swinging.

NYY 3, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird out on foul tip.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

NYY 3, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Robinson Cano out on foul tip.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Swisher pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jorge Posada singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Marcus Thames called out on .

NYY 3, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out softly, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

NYY 3, DET 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson out swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ramiro Pena out swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brett Gardner doubles (13) on a soft fly ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Derek Jeter singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Brett Gardner scores.

NYY 4, DET 1

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Mark Teixeira batting, Derek Jeter steals (14) 2nd base.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Mark Teixeira called out on .


NYY 4, DET 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Nick Swisher.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge homers (8) on a fly ball to left field.

NYY 4, DET 2

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Avila replaces Gerald Laird.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson out swinging.

NYY 4, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -Alex Avila remains in the game as the catcher.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -Robinson Cano homers (22) on a fly ball to right field.

NYY 5, DET 2


B:2 S:1 O:0 -Nick Swisher hit by pitch.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -Injury Delay.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -Jorge Posada called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:1 -Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -Pitcher Change: Robbie Weinhardt replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -Marcus Thames singles on a soft pop up to pitcher Robbie Weinhardt, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge. Nick Swisher to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Robbie Weinhardt.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -Curtis Granderson walks. Nick Swisher to 3rd. Marcus Thames to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -Ramiro Pena out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Nick Swisher scores. Marcus Thames to 3rd.

NYY 6, DET 2


B:3 S:2 O:3 -Brett Gardner flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

NYY 6, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: David Robertson replaces CC Sabathia.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Brett Gardner.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Johnny Damon pops out to third baseman Ramiro Pena.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Nick Swisher.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

NYY 6, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Enrique Gonzalez replaces Brad Thomas.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Derek Jeter out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira out swinging.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Robinson Cano grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Enrique Gonzalez.

NYY 6, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Mariano Rivera replaces David Robertson.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Injury Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out softly, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brett Gardner, deflected by shortstop Derek Jeter.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out softly, pitcher Mariano Rivera to first baseman Mark Teixeira. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

NYY 6, DET 2 final score > click here for box score <

I can't understand what happened to Verlander....it seems something was off.

As for Rivera - he basically has 2 pitches...do they look at films in baseball? Surely he is hittable (Gonzo in WS).