ALDS GM 4 - GDT: 10/4/11 - DET (2-1) VS NYY (1-2) - 8:30 p.m. ET

Porcello, Tigers look to close out Burnett, Yanks

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | 10/4/2011 2:45 AM ET

The Yankees need to save their season, and, lo and behold, A.J. Burnett is the one who will try to ensure that happens.

It took an interesting turn of events -- perhaps Yankees fans would call it a cruel twist of fate -- but with the Yanks needing to win Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday to force a Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, it'll be the enigmatic Burnett trying to come through against young-but-tenured Tigers starter Rick Porcello.

Burnett knows about all the criticism, all the insecurities and all the doubt surrounding whether he can continue to be a productive member of the Yanks' rotation.

Apparently, he listens to none of it.

"Believe it or not, I've got pretty good confidence every start," said Burnett, who's 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA in six postseason starts. "I try to go out and believe I can throw a no-hitter. Even last year, when I couldn't get out of the first inning, I still took the mound with belief, and I did so this year."

Burnett has put up a 5.20 ERA the last two seasons, and in 2011, he set career highs in homers and wild pitches, all while contributing just 10 quality starts in 32 appearances.

For that, Burnett initially found himself out of the playoff rotation -- before Friday's suspended game forced manager Joe Girardi to go with four starters -- and for that, Yankees fans are holding their collective breath with Burnett getting ready to take the mound in a big start.

He gets all that.

But he has a message.

"You can't count me out," Burnett said on Monday. "I'm going to bring everything I've got and just let A.J. loose out there."

In Detroit manager Jim Leyland's words, the man he'll be letting loose is "Jekyll and Hyde."

That's what Porcello and his heavy sinker were throughout the regular season.

The 22-year-old right-hander went 5-0 with a 3.06 ERA in July, struggled toward a 6.82 ERA in August, then finished the season going 4-1 with a 3.55 ERA in September.

"What you have to remember about Rick Porcello is he's still a very, very young pitcher," Leyland said. "I think he's won 38 games in the Major Leagues already, but he's still a young pitcher. So those things are going to happen. There's no question about that. Figuring out big league hitters, figuring out how to calm down, figuring out how to have just enough adrenaline and not too much adrenaline. He's figuring it all out in the process."

Porcello, who tied his a career-high in wins (14) and set a new one in innings (182) in his third full season, is a New Jersey kid who grew up a Mets fan. His parents, however, always cheered on the Yankees.

"Mom loves Derek Jeter," Porcello said. "Might like him more than me."

Now Porcello has a chance to finish off those Yankees.

Yankees: Big bats still cold
The middle of the Bombers' order went 0-for-10 in Monday's 5-4 Game 2 loss. Robinson Cano finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-2 with two walks and Mark Teixeira went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

For A-Rod and Teixeira, the two hitters counted on to ensure Cano doesn't get pitched around too much, perhaps it's especially troubling. The two are a combined 1-for-21 in the series.

But Girardi didn't echo any concerns following Game 2.

Regarding A-Rod, Girardi said: "He had an RBI and two walks tonight. He was on base twice and drove in a run. I know he didn't hit a home run, but he was on base, and that's what you want guys to do, is get on."

Regarding Teixeira, he said: "He lined out to left. ... You're facing good pitchers. Teams don't get to this point by having not good staffs. They make good pitches. [Tigers ace Justin] Verlander, it's not like you're facing a guy that they pulled out of the stands tonight."

Tigers: Valverde conquers adventures
In the end, it's simple: Closer Jose Valverde has held on to both ninth-inning leads he's been given in this series.

But his adventurous ninth innings have been anything but simple.

Valverde gave up two earned runs on two hits and two walks in Sunday's outing. On Monday, he put the tying run in scoring position and had to strike out Derek Jeter to end it.

Valverde went 49-for-49 in saves this season. But tough predicaments are nothing new.

"He does get into problems," Leyland said. "We know they're going to run on him in certain situations. You can't do much better than what he's done up to this point. So we feel comfortable with him."

Worth noting
• Monday's crowd of 43,581 marked the largest in postseason history at Comerica Park.

• Opposing right-handed batters hit .248 against Porcello this season, while opposing lefties hit .321.

• Brett Gardner, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs on Monday, has appeared in 26 of the Yanks' 27 postseason games since 2009.

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (0-0, -.-- ERA)

The one part of the Tigers' rotation that Friday's rainout didn't change was their plan to start Porcello, who earned the final spot with five quality starts in September. He pitched in the 2009 American League Central tiebreaker at age 20.


Yankees: RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Mere days after Yankees manager Joe Girardi relegated Burnett to the bullpen, the team announced that he will start Game 4 against the Tigers. Rain altered the schedule for Burnett, who was 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA against the Tigers this season.


Game Information



INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Wednesday, October 5: ALDS PLAYOFFS
OFFDAY

• Thursday, October 6: ALDS PLAYOFFS
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (0-1, 11.57 ERA)) AT
Yankees (?HP ??? (0-0, -.-- ERA)),
8:30 p.m. ET (TBS / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

1. Austin Jackson, CF
   
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
   
3. Delmon Young, LF
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Victor Martinez, DH
   
6. Don Kelly, RF
   
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
   
8. Alex Avila, C
   
9. Wilson Betemit, 3B
   

P: Rick Porcello

NYY - Top 1st
B:2 S:1 O:1
Derek Jeter grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Curtis Granderson called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:3
Robinson Cano grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0 - 0 AFTER .5 INNING

DET - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago bunt pops out to third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

With Delmon Young batting, Austin Jackson steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Alex Rodriguez to first baseman Mark Teixeira. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
A. J. Burnett intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly lines out sharply to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

NYY - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Mark Teixeira lines out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Nick Swisher grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

0 - 0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Alex Rodriguez to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, pitcher A. J. Burnett to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

NYY - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Jorge Posada hit by pitch.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Russell Martin singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jorge Posada to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Brett Gardner called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:1
Derek Jeter doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jorge Posada scores. Russell Martin scores.
NYY 2 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:2
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Derek Jeter to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Robinson Cano flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

NYY 2 - 0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Alex Rodriguez to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young walks.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out, shortstop Derek Jeter to second baseman Robinson Cano. Delmon Young out at 2nd.

NYY 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

NYY - Top 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Rodriguez flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark Teixeira hit by pitch.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Nick Swisher out swinging.

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

NYY 2 - 0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 4th
B:3 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
NYY 2 -1

B:0 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Brett Gardner.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila called out on .

With Wilson Betemit batting, wild pitch by A. J. Burnett, Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

NYY 2 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

NYY - Top 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Russell Martin singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Brett Gardner singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Russell Martin to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Derek Jeter ground bunts into a force out, pitcher Rick Porcello to third baseman Wilson Betemit. Russell Martin out at 3rd. Brett Gardner to 2nd. Derek Jeter to 1st.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Curtis Granderson doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly. Brett Gardner scores. Derek Jeter to 3rd.
NYY 3 - 1

B:4 S:0 O:1
Rick Porcello intentionally walks Robinson Cano.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alex Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Derek Jeter scores. Curtis Granderson to 3rd.
NYY 4 - 1

B:2 S:3 O:3
Mark Teixeira called out on .

NYY 4- 1 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Brett Gardner.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds into double play, second baseman Robinson Cano to shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out, pitcher A. J. Burnett to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

NYY 4- 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

NYY - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Nick Swisher grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Russell Martin flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

NYY 4- 1 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 6th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera lines out to shortstop Derek Jeter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Swisher.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Rafael Soriano replaces A. J. Burnett.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

NYY 4- 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

NYY - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Rick Porcello.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Brett Gardner out swinging.

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

B:0 S:2 O:2
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Robinson Cano lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

NYY 4- 1 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, third baseman Alex Rodriguez to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit strikes out swinging, catcher Russell Martin to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson pops out to second baseman Robinson Cano.

NYY 4- 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

NYY - Top 8th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Alex Rodriguez singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Mark Teixeira singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Wilson Betemit. Alex Rodriguez to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Nick Swisher singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Alex Rodriguez to 3rd. Mark Teixeira to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jesus Montero replaces Jorge Posada.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Phil Coke.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Chris Dickerson replaces Nick Swisher.

With Jesus Montero batting, Alex Rodriguez scores on a balk. Mark Teixeira advances to 3rd on a balk. Chris Dickerson advances to 2nd on a balk.
NYY 5 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jesus Montero singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young, deflected by third baseman Wilson Betemit. Mark Teixeira scores. Chris Dickerson to 3rd.
NYY 6 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Russell Martin walks. Jesus Montero to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Brett Gardner singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Chris Dickerson scores. Jesus Montero to 3rd. Russell Martin to 2nd.
NYY 7 - 1

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

Injury Delay.

With Curtis Granderson batting, wild pitch by Daniel Schlereth, Jesus Montero scores. Russell Martin to 3rd. Brett Gardner to 2nd.
NYY 8 - 1

B:3 S:3 O:2
Curtis Granderson called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2
Robinson Cano singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Russell Martin scores. Brett Gardner scores.
NYY 10 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Rodriguez singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Robinson Cano to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Mark Teixeira lines out to right fielder Don Kelly.

NYY 10- 1 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 8th
Chris Dickerson remains in the game as the right fielder.

Jesus Montero remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Phil Hughes replaces Rafael Soriano.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Ramon Santiago out swinging, catcher Russell Martin to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Chris Dickerson.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

NYY 10- 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

NYY - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Omir Santos replaces catcher Alex Avila, batting 8th, playing catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Chris Dickerson grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jesus Montero singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Russell Martin grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jesus Montero out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Boone Logan replaces Phil Hughes.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Don Kelly.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.