Wang Captures 16th in Opener

Wilson HR highlights 2-0 win

Chien-Ming Wang won his 16th game of the season and Craig Wilson hit his 3rdd home run as a Bomber as the Yankees shutout the Detroit 2-0 in the 1st game of a day-night doubleheader. Pitching before a sparse crowd of a little over 18,000, Wang excelled for 7 2-3 innings, limiting the Tigers to 3 hits and recording 13 ground ball outs. He left to a standing ovation in the 8th with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs. Scott Proctor retired Magglio Ordonez on a fly to Melky Cabrera in left on the first pitch he threw. Mariano Rivera closed things out in the 9th, allowing just a bloop single, for his 32nd save.

The Yankees wasted many opportunities against Tiger's starter Nate Robertson, but nothing could stop Wilson's fly ball from leaving the ball park. It snapped a scoreless tie and was his 16th of the season between the Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnny Damon followed with a walk and Derek Jeter moved him to a third with a single, one of his three hits on the day. Robertson struck out Bobby Abreu, but Jason Giambi lofted a fly ball to right-center for a sacrifice fly and a 2-0 lead.

That would be all the scoring the Yankees would manage on the day. They had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out in the 3rd, but Jeter struck out and Abreu grounded out. One inning later, Melky Cabrera stranded two runners in scoring position with an inning ending fly out. The Yankees got 2 men on again in the 6th with help from Carlos Guillen error, but Wilson flied out and Damon grounded out. In the 7th, Robinson Cano came up with the bases loaded, 2 out, and a .171 average when the sacks are full. He promptly grounded out on the first pitch as Robertson pulled his final escape artist trick on the day.

Notes

Alex Rodriguez was 0-3 with a walk, but made several outstanding defensive plays to help keep the Tigers off the board. He also had to be relieved not to strike out.

Chien-Ming Wang is now tied for the AL and Major League lead in victories with Toronto's Roy Halladay. Chicago's John Garland has a chance to match the feat this evening.

Wilfredo Ledezma (2-1) and Jaret Wright (9-7) face off in the 2nd game this evening at 7:05.