Yankees Fans Come in Off the Ledge

photo courtesy of NY Daily News

Despite a 21-10 start there are a number of Yankees fans acting like Red Sox fans. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, the other leg to break, the other game to lose. STOP.

Last night's loss to the Detroit (5-4) was obviously frustrating. Spot starter Sergio Mitre was far from fantastic, but he wasn't horrendous either. An Alex Rodriguez throwing error led to two early runs, one of which was earned. Mitre is not part of the regular rotation and does all right as a long man in the pen. He's not going to be the guy to make or break the team.

Boone Logan was crap. There's no excuse for walks to guys who don't deserve to be pitched around. If he continues in that vein, he'll be gone.

Marcus Winn, Randy Thames, Winn Thames...no matter how you combine their names, you really can't put a good ball player together between them. Thames has good power, but has never hit for average and his outfield skills..well, outfield and skills should not be used in the same sentence when it comes to Marcus Thames.

Winn was a good player. He is still a decent outfielder, but the speed left his bat a long time ago. Obviously, neither one of them would be getting many at-bats if not for the injuries to Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson. But the lineup and defense is still deep enough even with them.

Johnny Damon hits a home run last night and immediately there is an outpouring of "why didn't we keep him?" Because he was a pig when it came to money and it was time to move on. The same with Hideki Matsui (not the pig part). You can bet that if Matsui was still a Yankee and was hitting the .230 he's currently hitting with the Halos, Yankees fans would be screaming about how the team shouldn't have re-signed him.

The Yankee fan base has quickly forgotten how quickly a team can age. The 1996-2001 run ended with a sharp decline and even though the team made the 2003 World Series, there was some very obvious holes that took a long time to fill. 20/20 hindsight is easy, but looking back do you think it was smart to re-sign Scott Brosius or should the Yankees have made Mike Lowell their third baseman?

The Yankees have won 9 of 10 series, but apparently that isn't good enough for some people. Now, there's no question that the Nick Johnson signing was probably not the most well thought out plan. But most likely it was to go cheap for one year to make a run after Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth for next season.

Seriously, how do some of you people last through a 162 game season? Losses bother me. I was bitching and moaning last night. But I'll have moved on when tonight's game is played. Some of you won't have. Some losses hurt more than others. Losing to Boston always sucks, but the Yankees still took 2 of 3..that's all that matters. It's a marathon not a sprint, so chill.

On the Up side

There were some positives last night. Another home run for Mark Teixeira. A much better outing for David Robertson. Alex Rodriguez had a couple of solid hits. And a dominating performance by Joba Chamberlain, who hit the upper 90's with his fastball and struck out the side in the 8th inning.

Tigers Bag Moose

Mike Mussina may have made Joe Torre's decision making process about the rotation a little easier last night. The Tigers clobbered Mussina for 6 runs in 3 innings en route to a 16-0 blowout. Mussina told pitching Ron Guidry, "I don't what know to do.", as his own frustration mounted even more than our own watching it. It was the first time in his 17 year career that Mussina (8-10) gave up 6 or more runs in 3 straight starts.

After Edwar Ramirez gave up 1 run in an inning, Sean Henn took one for the team, throwing 79 pitches in 2-plus innings. He was charged with 9 runs, 7 of them earned. The Yankees are expected to call up a reliever today - perhaps Chris Britton will finally get a chance - with Henn most likely sent down since he wouldn't be able to pitch for several days.

All Tigers starter Justin Verlander would have had to do was throw his glove out on the mound to earn his 14th win in 19 decisions. The hard throwing right-hander had a 6-0 lead after 3 innings and the Yankees bats reflected their overall sense that there was no way they were winning this one. Verlander, who went 7 innings, and Zach Miner limited the Yankees to just 3 hits.

Mussina's night could have been even worse or shorter had it not been for an outstanding play by Melky Cabrera. The center fielder raced back to the wall to snare a bases loaded drive by Carlos Guillen in the 1st inning. Instead of 3 runs, the Tigers settled for just 1. Robinson Cano also threw out Curtis Granderson trying to score from 3rd on an infield grounder. But after the Tigers scored 2 in the 2nd and 3 more in the 3rd (do you a see pattern here?), Torre had no choice but to finally remove his veteran starter.

Now the decision making process begins in earnest to determine whether it's Mussina, Kei Igawa, Steven White, Jeff Karstens, Matt DeSalvo, Ian Kennedy or someone else to take Mussina's next turn in the rotation.

...

One week after taking 3 of 4 from the Tigers at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees gave it back, losing 3 of 4 at Comerica Park. The Yankees now trail the Red Sox by 8 games in the AL East. They remain 2 back (3 in the loss column) of Seattle in the Wild Card, after the Mariners were shutout by the Angels last night.

Derek Jeter returned to the lineup after missing 1 game with a sore knee. His 0-3 night left him 1 for his last 18.

Mike Mussina's ERA has jumped from 4.50 to 5.53 over his last 3 starts, 2 against Detroit and 1 vs. LA.

There's speculation that since Matt DeSalvo pitched last night for Scranton he would be the natural answer to take Mussina's next start. But considering the fact that DeSalvo allowed 16 runs in his last 14 innings, over 5 starts, for the Yankees, that would NOT be a wise choice.

Tigers Bag Moose

Mike Mussina may have made Joe Torre's decision making process about the rotation a little easier last night. The Tigers clobbered Mussina for 6 runs in 3 innings en route to a 16-0 blowout. Mussina told pitching Ron Guidry, "I don't what know to do.", as his own frustration mounted even more than our own watching it. It was the first time in his 17 year career that Mussina (8-10) gave up 6 or more runs in 3 straight starts.

After Edwar Ramirez gave up 1 run in an inning, Sean Henn took one for the team, throwing 79 pitches in 2-plus innings. He was charged with 9 runs, 7 of them earned. The Yankees are expected to call up a reliever today - perhaps Chris Britton will finally get a chance - with Henn most likely sent down since he wouldn't be able to pitch for several days.

All Tigers starter Justin Verlander would have had to do was throw his glove out on the mound to earn his 14th win in 19 decisions. The hard throwing right-hander had a 6-0 lead after 3 innings and the Yankees bats reflected their overall sense that there was no way they were winning this one. Verlander, who went 7 innings, and Zach Miner limited the Yankees to just 3 hits.

Mussina's night could have been even worse or shorter had it not been for an outstanding play by Melky Cabrera. The center fielder raced back to the wall to snare a bases loaded drive by Carlos Guillen in the 1st inning. Instead of 3 runs, the Tigers settled for just 1. Robinson Cano also threw out Curtis Granderson trying to score from 3rd on an infield grounder. But after the Tigers scored 2 in the 2nd and 3 more in the 3rd (do you a see pattern here?), Torre had no choice but to finally remove his veteran starter.

Now the decision making process begins in earnest to determine whether it's Mussina, Kei Igawa, Steven White, Jeff Karstens, Matt DeSalvo, Ian Kennedy or someone else to take Mussina's next turn in the rotation.

...

One week after taking 3 of 4 from the Tigers at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees gave it back, losing 3 of 4 at Comerica Park. The Yankees now trail the Red Sox by 8 games in the AL East. They remain 2 back (3 in the loss column) of Seattle in the Wild Card, after the Mariners were shutout by the Angels last night.

Derek Jeter returned to the lineup after missing 1 game with a sore knee. His 0-3 night left him 1 for his last 18.

Mike Mussina's ERA has jumped from 4.50 to 5.53 over his last 3 starts, 2 against Detroit and 1 vs. LA.

There's speculation that since Matt DeSalvo pitched last night for Scranton he would be the natural answer to take Mussina's next start. But considering the fact that DeSalvo allowed 16 runs in his last 14 innings, over 5 starts, for the Yankees, that would NOT be a wise choice.

Tonight's Lineup (8/27)

Mussina vs. Verlander

Yankees

J. Damon lf
D. Jeter ss
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui dh
J. Posada c
J. Giambi 1b
R. Cano 2b
M. Cabrera cf

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames lf
M. Ordonez dh
C. Guillen ss
I. Rodriguez c
S. Casey 1b
R. Raburn rf
B. Inge 3b

Tonight's Lineup (8/27)

Mussina vs. Verlander

Yankees

J. Damon lf
D. Jeter ss
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui dh
J. Posada c
J. Giambi 1b
R. Cano 2b
M. Cabrera cf

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames lf
M. Ordonez dh
C. Guillen ss
I. Rodriguez c
S. Casey 1b
R. Raburn rf
B. Inge 3b

Slipping Away

Phil Hughes only allowed 4 hits over 6 innings, but 3 were home runs as the Detroit Tigers held off the Yankees 5-4. The Yankees jumped on starter Jair Jurrjens, who left in the 2nd with a shoulder injury, and Chad Durbin, but the Tigers bullpen, reinvigorated by the return of Joel Zumaya shut down the Bombers over the final 4 2-3 innings.

Todd Jones picked up his 33rd save with some big defensive help by Carlos Guillen. Guillen, who is usually manning shortstop for the Tigers, played 1st Base and show his defensive skills in the 9th. He went in the hole between 1st and 2nd to take a hit away from Hideki Matsui, and Jones helped him out, leaping to catch Guillen's high throw, and getting his foot on 1st Base in time. Jason Giambi gave the Yankees another chance with a single, but with pinch-runner Shelley Duncan aboard, Guillen turned Robinson Cano's grounder into a game ending 3-6-3 double play.

The Tigers got off to a fast start against Hughes, whose fastball was straight for much of the day. Curtis Granderson hit what appeared to be harmless fly to shallow, but the ball fell past the outstretched glove of Matsui, and bounced all the way to the wall. The speedy Granderson raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. Guillen, who hit a walk-off home run on Friday, went the traditional route, smacking a 2-run HR to right for a 3-0 Tigers lead.

Giambi got a run back in the 2nd with his 12th home run of the year. It was also the last batter of the day for the Tigers rookie starter, Jurrjens. Making just his 3rd start in the majors, Jurrjens felt soreness in his right shoulder and was removed.

Hughes (2-2) gave up the long ball again in the 3rd when Marcus Thames hit 15th of the year with a man aboard. Cano got the Yankees right back in it in the 4th when he hit a 431-foot, 3-run blast to dead center field, cutting the Tigers lead to 5-4.

Hughes settled down, retiring 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced, and Kyle Farnsworth and Luis Vizcaino threw a scoreless inning each. But the Yankees couldn't solve the trio of Bobby Seay (1-0), Zumaya, and Jones.

...

The Yankees are now 11-19 in 1-run and extra inning games.

Derek Jeter missed Sunday's game with wear and tear in his right knee and expects to play tonight. Joe Torre may feel otherwise.

Slipping Away

Phil Hughes only allowed 4 hits over 6 innings, but 3 were home runs as the Detroit Tigers held off the Yankees 5-4. The Yankees jumped on starter Jair Jurrjens, who left in the 2nd with a shoulder injury, and Chad Durbin, but the Tigers bullpen, reinvigorated by the return of Joel Zumaya shut down the Bombers over the final 4 2-3 innings.

Todd Jones picked up his 33rd save with some big defensive help by Carlos Guillen. Guillen, who is usually manning shortstop for the Tigers, played 1st Base and show his defensive skills in the 9th. He went in the hole between 1st and 2nd to take a hit away from Hideki Matsui, and Jones helped him out, leaping to catch Guillen's high throw, and getting his foot on 1st Base in time. Jason Giambi gave the Yankees another chance with a single, but with pinch-runner Shelley Duncan aboard, Guillen turned Robinson Cano's grounder into a game ending 3-6-3 double play.

The Tigers got off to a fast start against Hughes, whose fastball was straight for much of the day. Curtis Granderson hit what appeared to be harmless fly to shallow, but the ball fell past the outstretched glove of Matsui, and bounced all the way to the wall. The speedy Granderson raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. Guillen, who hit a walk-off home run on Friday, went the traditional route, smacking a 2-run HR to right for a 3-0 Tigers lead.

Giambi got a run back in the 2nd with his 12th home run of the year. It was also the last batter of the day for the Tigers rookie starter, Jurrjens. Making just his 3rd start in the majors, Jurrjens felt soreness in his right shoulder and was removed.

Hughes (2-2) gave up the long ball again in the 3rd when Marcus Thames hit 15th of the year with a man aboard. Cano got the Yankees right back in it in the 4th when he hit a 431-foot, 3-run blast to dead center field, cutting the Tigers lead to 5-4.

Hughes settled down, retiring 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced, and Kyle Farnsworth and Luis Vizcaino threw a scoreless inning each. But the Yankees couldn't solve the trio of Bobby Seay (1-0), Zumaya, and Jones.

...

The Yankees are now 11-19 in 1-run and extra inning games.

Derek Jeter missed Sunday's game with wear and tear in his right knee and expects to play tonight. Joe Torre may feel otherwise.

Today's Lineups (8/26)

Phil Hughes vs. Jair Jurrjens

Yankees

J. Damon dh
M. Cabrera cf
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui lf
J. Giambi 1b
R. Cano 2b
W. Betemit ss
J. Molina c

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames dh
M. Ordonez rf
C. Guillen ss
I. Rodriguez c
S. Casey 1b
B. Inge 3b
C. Maybin lf

Today's Lineups (8/26)

Phil Hughes vs. Jair Jurrjens

Yankees

J. Damon dh
M. Cabrera cf
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui lf
J. Giambi 1b
R. Cano 2b
W. Betemit ss
J. Molina c

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames dh
M. Ordonez rf
C. Guillen ss
I. Rodriguez c
S. Casey 1b
B. Inge 3b
C. Maybin lf

The Late Show

The controversy over Friday's night 11 PM start continued yesterday. Based on Joe Torre's comments, Yankees announcer Michael Kay was quick to throw the umpiring crew under the bus. But after further details came out, it looks like major league baseball is to blame.

It all started with Thursday's Red Sox-White Sox game in Chicago. Rain delayed the start of the game and it was finally called at 9:30. It never rained the rest of the night and the umpires took a big hit for it. So a directive came out via VP of umps Mike Port, but originated from higher up.

So Friday night, Rick Reed's crew, the same crew that was in Chicago waited as long as possible. There were several conflicting weather reports that had the game nearly starting on several occasions.

The weather may not have been clear, but it was clear that the fans should not have had to wait 4 hours for baseball.

Source


Photos courtesy of AP

The Late Show

The controversy over Friday's night 11 PM start continued yesterday. Based on Joe Torre's comments, Yankees announcer Michael Kay was quick to throw the umpiring crew under the bus. But after further details came out, it looks like major league baseball is to blame.

It all started with Thursday's Red Sox-White Sox game in Chicago. Rain delayed the start of the game and it was finally called at 9:30. It never rained the rest of the night and the umpires took a big hit for it. So a directive came out via VP of umps Mike Port, but originated from higher up.

So Friday night, Rick Reed's crew, the same crew that was in Chicago waited as long as possible. There were several conflicting weather reports that had the game nearly starting on several occasions.

The weather may not have been clear, but it was clear that the fans should not have had to wait 4 hours for baseball.

Source


Photos courtesy of AP

Back on the Wang Track

Chien-Ming Wang pitched his best game in over a month, dominating the Detroit Tigers en route to a 7-2 Yankees win. Wang had lost only 2 of his previous 10 starts, but even in victory, he hadn't been nearly as sharp as we've grown accustomed to seeing him. Tonight's outing was the Wang we know and love. He limited the Tigers to 5 hits over 8 innings, struck out 6, and recorded 12 outs via the ground. He got plenty of run support too as the Yankees knocked around Jeremy Bonderman for the 2nd time in a week.

Bonderman (10-7) retired Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter to start the game, but Bobby Abreu singled and stole 2nd. With an open base, Bonderman unintentionally walked Alex Rodriguez to put 2 men aboard. Hideki Matsui then came up with the big hit, a drive into the gap in left-center that went all the way to the wall. Both runners scored easily and the Yankees had themselves a quick 2-o lead.

Detroit came right back against Wang (15-6) in the bottom half of the 1st as Placido Polanco walked, stole 2nd, and scored on Magglio Ordonez's single. It was Ordonez's 116 RBI, 2nd to A-Rod for the AL lead.

The Yankees got the run back in the 3rd when Johnny Damon lead off the inning with his 8th home run of the season. They also put Bonderman on the ropes as Abreu walked and stole 2nd again and A-Rod moved him to 3rd with a single to right. But this time Matsui popped out to 3rd Baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory, and after A-Rod stole 2nd, Jorge Posada flied out to center.

The Yankees helped the Tigers back into the game in the 6th after Inge singled and stole 2nd. Posada got crossed up on a Wang delivery and the pitched caromed off his glove for a passed ball. With Inge at 3rd and 1 out, Wang bounced a pitch to Curtis Granderson, and Inge scored as the ball went to the backstop. But the offense was quick to make amends for the sloppy inning.

The Bombers loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th on singles by Matsui and Robinson Cano, and a walk to Wilson Betemit. Melky Cabrera, hitting in the 9 hole, ripped a line drive in the right field corner to clear the bases. The triple broke the game open, giving the Yankees a 6-2 lead. Damon made it back to back triples when his drive to right-center hit off of the glove of a diving Granderson. With the infield in, Jeter lined to Guillen for the 2nd out, but Tigers manager Jim Leyland saw enough of Bonderman, who lost his 6th straight decision.


...

Chien-Ming Wang is now 42-17 in his Yankees career. His 15 wins are 2nd in the AL to Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield's 16.

Bobby Abreu had a huge night with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 3 stolen bases. He now has 20 steals in 26 attempts this season, and has stolen 30 bases in 38 attempts as a Yankee.

Melky Cabrera's triple was his team leading 8th of the year.

With 2 hits in 4 trips against Bonderman, Johnny Damon is now 14-32 in his career against the right-hander, with a pair of home runs. Damon is now hitting .343 for August.

Back on the Wang Track

Chien-Ming Wang pitched his best game in over a month, dominating the Detroit Tigers en route to a 7-2 Yankees win. Wang had lost only 2 of his previous 10 starts, but even in victory, he hadn't been nearly as sharp as we've grown accustomed to seeing him. Tonight's outing was the Wang we know and love. He limited the Tigers to 5 hits over 8 innings, struck out 6, and recorded 12 outs via the ground. He got plenty of run support too as the Yankees knocked around Jeremy Bonderman for the 2nd time in a week.

Bonderman (10-7) retired Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter to start the game, but Bobby Abreu singled and stole 2nd. With an open base, Bonderman unintentionally walked Alex Rodriguez to put 2 men aboard. Hideki Matsui then came up with the big hit, a drive into the gap in left-center that went all the way to the wall. Both runners scored easily and the Yankees had themselves a quick 2-o lead.

Detroit came right back against Wang (15-6) in the bottom half of the 1st as Placido Polanco walked, stole 2nd, and scored on Magglio Ordonez's single. It was Ordonez's 116 RBI, 2nd to A-Rod for the AL lead.

The Yankees got the run back in the 3rd when Johnny Damon lead off the inning with his 8th home run of the season. They also put Bonderman on the ropes as Abreu walked and stole 2nd again and A-Rod moved him to 3rd with a single to right. But this time Matsui popped out to 3rd Baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory, and after A-Rod stole 2nd, Jorge Posada flied out to center.

The Yankees helped the Tigers back into the game in the 6th after Inge singled and stole 2nd. Posada got crossed up on a Wang delivery and the pitched caromed off his glove for a passed ball. With Inge at 3rd and 1 out, Wang bounced a pitch to Curtis Granderson, and Inge scored as the ball went to the backstop. But the offense was quick to make amends for the sloppy inning.

The Bombers loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th on singles by Matsui and Robinson Cano, and a walk to Wilson Betemit. Melky Cabrera, hitting in the 9 hole, ripped a line drive in the right field corner to clear the bases. The triple broke the game open, giving the Yankees a 6-2 lead. Damon made it back to back triples when his drive to right-center hit off of the glove of a diving Granderson. With the infield in, Jeter lined to Guillen for the 2nd out, but Tigers manager Jim Leyland saw enough of Bonderman, who lost his 6th straight decision.


...

Chien-Ming Wang is now 42-17 in his Yankees career. His 15 wins are 2nd in the AL to Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield's 16.

Bobby Abreu had a huge night with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 3 stolen bases. He now has 20 steals in 26 attempts this season, and has stolen 30 bases in 38 attempts as a Yankee.

Melky Cabrera's triple was his team leading 8th of the year.

With 2 hits in 4 trips against Bonderman, Johnny Damon is now 14-32 in his career against the right-hander, with a pair of home runs. Damon is now hitting .343 for August.

Tonight's Lineups (8/25)

Yankees J. Damon lf
D. Jeter ss
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui dh
J. Posada c
R. Cano 2b
W. Betemit 1b
M. Cabrera cf

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames lf
M. Ordonez rf
C. Guillen 1b
M. Rabelo c
S. Casey dh
B. Inge 3b
R. Santiago ss

Tonight's Lineups (8/25)

Yankees J. Damon lf
D. Jeter ss
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui dh
J. Posada c
R. Cano 2b
W. Betemit 1b
M. Cabrera cf

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames lf
M. Ordonez rf
C. Guillen 1b
M. Rabelo c
S. Casey dh
B. Inge 3b
R. Santiago ss

Tigers in the Henn House

3 a.m. That's approximately the time that last night's Yankees-Tigers ended. That's because the teams waited out a 4 hr rain delay. It appeared to have an effected on Roger Clemens and Andrew Miller, the two starting pitchers, who had be off their games after waiting so long.

After all the waiting, the game went 11 innings and ended on Carlos Guillen's 3-run walk-off HR off of Sean Henn. It was the 2nd time in a week that has Henn has lost an extra inning affair. It's time to move on in the Sean Henn department. He's had plenty of opportunities and has not grabbed the brass ring.

Alex Rodriguez belted his 43rd HR last night - number 507 overall. He also now has 123 RBI.

The loss was a big blow with the Red Sox taking a pair from the White Sox and the Mariners beating the Rangers. The Yankees are now 6 1/2 and 3 back in the AL East and Wild Card races, respectively.

Chien-Ming Wang and Jeremy Bonderman go at it tonight, hopefully at the scheduled 7:00 start time.

Tigers in the Henn House

3 a.m. That's approximately the time that last night's Yankees-Tigers ended. That's because the teams waited out a 4 hr rain delay. It appeared to have an effected on Roger Clemens and Andrew Miller, the two starting pitchers, who had be off their games after waiting so long.

After all the waiting, the game went 11 innings and ended on Carlos Guillen's 3-run walk-off HR off of Sean Henn. It was the 2nd time in a week that has Henn has lost an extra inning affair. It's time to move on in the Sean Henn department. He's had plenty of opportunities and has not grabbed the brass ring.

Alex Rodriguez belted his 43rd HR last night - number 507 overall. He also now has 123 RBI.

The loss was a big blow with the Red Sox taking a pair from the White Sox and the Mariners beating the Rangers. The Yankees are now 6 1/2 and 3 back in the AL East and Wild Card races, respectively.

Chien-Ming Wang and Jeremy Bonderman go at it tonight, hopefully at the scheduled 7:00 start time.

Tonight's Lineups (8/24)

Clemens vs. Miller Yankees J. Damon dh
M. Cabrera cf
D. Jeter ss
A. Rodriguez 3b
J. Posada c
H. Matsui lf
R. Cano 2b
A. Phillips 1b
S. Duncan rf

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames 1b
M. Ordonez dh
C. Guillen ss
I. Rodriguez c
R. Raburn rf
B. Inge 3b
C. Maybin lf

Tonight's Lineups (8/24)

Clemens vs. Miller Yankees J. Damon dh
M. Cabrera cf
D. Jeter ss
A. Rodriguez 3b
J. Posada c
H. Matsui lf
R. Cano 2b
A. Phillips 1b
S. Duncan rf

Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
M. Thames 1b
M. Ordonez dh
C. Guillen ss
I. Rodriguez c
R. Raburn rf
B. Inge 3b
C. Maybin lf