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Yankees-Tigers Game One: Rick Porcello Outduels Javier Vasquez In Tigers Win

Rick Porcello tossed seven scoreless innings and out-pitched Javier Vasquez to lead Detroit to a 2-0 win over New York Wednesday afternoon at Comerica Park. It was the first game of a doubleheader.

Detroit has won two straight against New York after losing seven of their last eight games against the Yankees. New York was shutout for the first time since a 6-0 loss at Toronto on Sept. 4, 2009.
 
Porcello (3-3), who entered the game with a 7.50 ERA, limited the Yankees to four hits over seven innings. He also struck out two and walked three. In his only start against New York last season, he allowed six runs in 3.2 innings.

Jose Valverde pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.

Despite taking the loss, Vasquez (1-4) had his most effective start of the season.

Vasquez entered the game with a 9.78 ERA, yet held Detroit scoreless over the first five innings. By the time he left the game after the seventh inning, he had allowed two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
 
The Yankees only two scoring chances came in the second and fourth innings. In the second, Porcello escaped a two out, bases loaded jam. He also pitched around Jorge Posada’s one out double in the fourth.

Detroit broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth.

With runners at first and third and no outs, Magglio Ordonez’s RBI fielder’s choice scored the first run. After Miguel Cabrera singled, Brennan Boesch delivered a run-scoring single for his fourth RBI of the series to give Detroit a 2-0 lead.

New York will look to end their three-game losing streak in the nightcap of the doubleheader. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.

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Yankees-Tigers: Brennan Boesch Delivers for Tigers in Series Opener

Brennan Boesch tallied two hits and three RBI to help lead Detroit to a 5-4 win over New York Monday night at Comerica Park. Eddie Bonine (3-0) earned the win after pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Sergio Mitre (0-1) suffered the loss in his first start of the season.

Playing in his first game against the Yankees, Boesch opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. After Mitre struck out the first two batters, the Tigers collected three straight singles, capped off by Boesch’s two-run single. Boesch later added an RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh.  

Detroit increased to a 3-0 lead after former Yankee top prospect Austin Jackson’s RBI ground out. However, New York cut into the deficit with one swing of the bat in the top of the third. After Nick Swisher walked, Mark Teixeira smacked his sixth home run of the season over the left field wall. It was his fourth home run in the last three games.

Detroit padded their lead in the bottom of the fifth on former Yankee Johnny Damon’s second home run of the season. Damon has totaled 10 home runs and 56 RBI in his career against New York.

After New York loaded the bases on two singles and a walk in the top of the eighth, Marcus Thames delivered an RBI infield single. Brett Gardner followed with a fielder’s choice RBI to cut the Detroit lead to 5-4. But Tiger relievers Joel Zumaya and Phil Coke, another former Yankee, retired Randy Winn and Derek Jeter to end the inning. It was the second time in three innings that the Yankees failed to score with a runner at third and one out.

Mitre allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in 4.1 innings. He struck out four and walked two. Brad Thomas started in place of Dontrelle Willis, who did not pitch due to a 102 degree fever. Thomas allowed two runs on three hits with three walks in three innings.

New York and Detroit will resume their four-game series on Tuesday. Javier Vasquez (1-3, 9.78) will start for the Yankees, while the Tigers will counter with Rick Porcello (2-3, 7.50). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.    

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Boston Red Sox Bats Come Alive in Series Finale

After being outscored 24-6 in the first two games against New York, the Boston offense took out their frustrations on A.J. Burnett in a 9-3 win Sunday night at Fenway Park. The Red Sox scored at least nine runs for the third time in seven games. The loss ended the Yankees’ five-game winning streak.

Leading 1-0, Boston exploded for five runs off Burnett in the bottom of the third inning. With the bases loaded and one out, J.D. Drew brought in a run with a sacrifice fly RBI. David Ortiz followed with a run-scoring double, and Adrian Beltre added a two-run double. Jeremy Hermida completed the scoring with an RBI single to give Boston a 6-1 lead.

Despite entering the game with a 4-0 record and a 1.99 ERA, Burnett (4-1) continued his struggles with the Yankees against the Red Sox. He allowed a season-high nine runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and three walks in 4.1 innings. Burnett has a 9.78 ERA in six starts as a Yankee against the Red Sox.

While Burnett struggled, Jon Lester (3-2) was the beneficiary of the Boston offense. He limited New York to two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over seven innings. Lester retired nine of the first 10 Yankees and improved to 4-1 all-time against New York.

Prior to Boston’s five-run third, the Red Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Hermida’s line drive went off the glove of left fielder Marcus Thames to score Drew from second. It was Boston’s first lead in the series.

The Yankees scored their first two runs on a pair of solo home runs in the top of the fourth. Nick Swisher led off the inning with his seventh home run of the season over the Green Monster. Two batters later, Alex Rodriguez’s third round-tripper cut the deficit to 6-2. It was his 586th career home run to tie Frank Robinson for seventh on the all-time list.

New York would not get any closer as Boston added three more runs. Kevin Youkilis delivered an RBI double in the fourth, and Hermida’s two-run home run in the fifth gave Boston a 9-2 advantage. The Yankees scored the final run of the game on Robinson Cano’s RBI single in the top of the eighth.

New York will travel to Detroit to open a four-game series on Monday. Sergio Mitre (0-0, 2.79), starting in place of Andy Pettitte, will get the ball for the Yankees against the Tigers Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.99). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.

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Yankees-Orioles: Yankees Hold On for Sweep of Orioles

Leading 7-3 with one out in the bottom of the ninth, New York appeared to roll to an easy win and series sweep of Baltimore. However, the Orioles brought the go-ahead run to the plate before the Yankees held on for a 7-5 win. The win marked the fourth time since 2008 that the Yankees have swept a three-game series at home against the Orioles.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold hit back-to-back home runs off Yankees reliever David Robertson. After Boone Logan recorded an out and walked two, Alfredo Aceves induced Ty Wigginton to fly out to right to end the game. With Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain unavailable, Aceves earned his first save of the season.

New York jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a run in each of the first three innings off Baltimore starter David Hernandez (0-4). Nick Johnson hit his second home run of the season in the first, and Nick Swisher added a solo home run in the second. Alex Rodriguez contributed a run-scoring single in the third. Hernandez allowed six runs on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.

After Baltimore hit into inning-ending double plays in the first and second innings, the Orioles scratched across a run in the fourth. Andy Pettitte (4-0) loaded the bases with one out and forced in a run by walking Reimold.

Pettitte earned the win after limiting Baltimore to one run and six hits over five innings. He also struck out two and walked two. Pettitte also improved to 4-0 in afternoon games this season.  

After Baltimore scored in the top of the fourth, New York immediately answered. With runners at second and third and one out, Brett Gardner scored on Derek Jeter’s RBI fielder’s choice. After Johnson walked, Mark Teixeira doubled to deep right center that was just out of the reach of center fielder Lou Montanez.  

With New York leading 6-1 in the top of the eighth, Wigginton blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall to cut the Baltimore deficit to three.

However, the Yankees added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. After Randy Winn singled and stole second base, he scored on a single by Johnson that went off the glove of Wigginton at second base. Johnson, who entered the game batting .134, was 3-for-3 with an RBI.

After an off day on Thursday, New York will return to Fenway Park on Friday. The Yankees took two-of-three from the Red Sox in the season-opening series. Phil Hughes (3-0, 1.44) will start for New York, while Josh Beckett (1-0, 6.31) will pitch for Boston. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.    

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Yankees-Orioles: Burnett and Cervelli Lead New York Past Baltimore

A.J. Burnett allowed one run over 7.1 innings, and Francisco Cervelli collected three hits to lead New York over Baltimore, 4-1, Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

New York improved to 9-2 in their last 11 home games against Baltimore. The Orioles lost their second straight after a weekend sweep of Boston.

Burnett (4-0) lowered his ERA to 1.99 after limiting Baltimore to one run (unearned) on five hits while walking two and striking out eight. He improved to 11-2 all-time against the Orioles.

In two starts this season against Baltimore, Burnett has only allowed one run on eight hits with 12 strikeouts in 15.1 innings.

Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save in as many games.

Cervelli led the bottom third of the Yankees lineup, which was responsible for half of New York’s eight hits.

He was 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Brett Gardner had a hit, two runs scored and a stolen base. Ramiro Pena, who started at shortstop for the second game this season, drove in two runs.  

Baltimore scored first for the second consecutive night.

After the first two batters reached in the top of the third, Cesar Izturis laid down a sacrifice bunt. Burnett fielded the bunt, but his throw was wide of first, allowing Garrett Atkins to score from second.

With runners at second and third and no outs, Burnett struck out Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters to end the inning and limit the damage.

New York tied the game in the bottom of the third. Cervelli led off the inning with his first career triple and scored on Pena’s RBI groundout.

The bottom of the fifth was very similar to the top of the third, except New York took advantage of a Baltimore error. After the first two batters reached base, Pena laid down a sacrifice bunt. However, pitcher Brian Matusz’s (2-2) throw to first was wild, allowing Gardner to score from second. After Mark Teixeira walked to load the bases, Alex Rodriguez forced in a run with a bases loaded walk.

New York added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on Pena’s sacrifice fly RBI. Even though both teams combined for five runs, neither club managed a run-scoring hit. The Yankees and Orioles were a combined 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
 
New York will go for the sweep in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. David Hernandez (0-3, 4.55) will start for the Orioles, while the Yankees will counter with Andy Pettitte (3-0, 2.12). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET.

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Yankees-Orioles: Randy Delivers in New York Winn

With Curtis Granderson on the 15-day disabled list, Yankees outfielder Randy Winn will receive significant playing time in the outfield.

On Monday night, he provided the power stroke with a three-run home run to help lead New York past Baltimore, 4-1, at Yankee Stadium.

CC Sabathia (4-1) pitched eight innings of one-run ball to earn the win, while Jeremy Guthrie (0-4) suffered the loss.

Joba Chamberlain pitched the ninth for his first save of the season. Mariano Rivera was unavailable due to stiffness in his left side.

In addition, Jorge Posada left the game in the sixth inning, and an MRI revealed a mild strain. He is listed as day-to-day.

Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters gave the Orioles an early lead with a leadoff home run in the top of the second. In the bottom of the fourth, Nick Swisher’s line-drive single off the right field wall scored Alex Rodriguez to tie the game.

After Brett Gardner singled, Winn delivered his first Yankee home run over the right center field wall to provide the winning margin. It was Winn’s first home run since April 25, 2009 for San Francisco.

Sabathia continued his mastery over Baltimore by limiting the Orioles to one run on six hits while striking out two and walking two. He improved to 11-1 in 16 career starts against Baltimore.

Despite allowing all four Yankee runs in the fourth inning, Guthrie pitched effectively. He allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings. He is winless in his last 11 starts dating back to last season.

Baltimore and New York will resume their three-game series Tuesday night. Brian Matusz (2-1, 4.40) will start for the Orioles, while the Yankees will counter with A.J. Burnett (3-0, 2.43). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.

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Pierzynski’s Clutch Hit Lifts White Sox Past Yankees

A.J. Pierzynski’s two out, two-run seventh inning double was the difference, as Chicago edged New York, 7-6 Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Andrew Jones posted his 40th career multi-homer game in the win. The Yankees’ loss snapped a five-game winning streak against the White Sox dating back to last season.

After New York scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take its first lead of the game, Chicago answered with two runs in the top of the seventh. After reliever David Robertson (0-2) allowed a double and an intentional walk, lefty Damaso Marte entered the game.  The left-handed hitting Pierzynski greeted Marte with a two-run double to left giving the White Sox a 7-6 advantage.  

Trailing 5-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, New York rallied for four runs off Chicago reliever Scott Linebrink (1-0). With runners at first and third and one out, Brett Gardner delivered an RBI single. Derek Jeter followed with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to one. Former member of the White Sox Nick Swisher then delivered a two-run home run over the center field fence to give the Yankees a 6-5 lead.

Despite allowing four runs and four hits in 1.1 innings, Linebrink earned the victory. Bobby Jenks pitched around a ninth inning hit to earn his fifth save. 

Jones helped stake the White Sox to an early 3-0 lead with a pair of home runs in his first two at bats. He entered the game a career .392 (20-51) hitter with five home runs against Yankees starter Javier Vazquez. Jones began with a two-run blast with two outs in the top of the first. His home run in the top of the third landed in the visitors’ bullpen beyond the left center field wall.

Vazquez was ineffective in his fourth start as his ERA ballooned to 9.78. He was booed off the mound in the fourth inning after allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and four walks.

In between Jones’s home runs, Chicago added a run in the top of the second. Vazquez loaded the bases on two walks and a single. The White Sox only scored one run on Omar Vizquel’s sacrifice fly RBI.

New York scored its first run in the bottom of the third on Mark Teixeira’s RBI single. The Yankees had runners at first and second with no outs, but Nick Swisher hit into a double play to minimize the damage.

Chicago immediately answered in the top of the fourth on Mark Kotsay’s two-run home run to increase the lead to 5-1. Later in the inning, Sergio Mitre relieved Vazquez with runners at first and second and no outs and tossed three scoreless innings of relief.

The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth on two singles and a walk. However, Chicago starter John Danks again limited the damage, as the Yankees only scored one run on an Alex Rodriguez fielder’s choice RBI to cut the White Sox lead to 5-3.

Chicago and New York will finish their weekend series on Sunday afternoon. Mark Buehrle (2-3, 4.68) will start for the White Sox, while the Yankees will counter with Phil Hughes (2-0, 2.00). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET. 
 

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