Detroit Tigers Take Yankees Series Opener 2-1

Alfredo Simon and C.C. Sabathia participated in a classic pitchers duel in tonight’s (April 20)  game while battling the elements of the cold and rain.  Simon pitched 7 1/3 innings only allowing one run a second inning solo home run to first basemen Mark Teixeira.  Simon struck out seven and allowed seven hits.  He improved his season ERA to 1.74 and continues to impress in his starting slot.

Sabathia was also as impressive pitching eight innings with seven hits and five strikeouts.

The Detroit Tigers cracked Sabathia’s code in the bottom of the seventh when Rajai Davis singled.  Ian Kinsler sacrifiecd him to second base with a fly out to the left field corner.  Manager Joe Girardi walked Victor Martinez who had crushed the ball twice in previous at bats but both outs were great plays by Yankees’ outfielders.  With two on, J.D. Martinez singled to left  on a hit that was deflected by shortstop Didi Gregorius and scored Rajai Davis tying the game.  Yoenis Cespedes singled on a ground ball to center scoring Victor Martinez to give the Tigers the 2-1 lead.  J.D. Martinez was thrown out on the play as he was caught between second and third ending the rally and the inning.

Simon pitched himself into a jam in the top of the ninth.  Joba Chamberlain entered in the top of the ninth inning and with runners on first and third and like a Christmas present was able to get center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to hit into a double play to retire the side.

Joakim Soria earned his fifth save and remained perfect in save opportunities retiring the Yankees 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth.  The Tigers improved to a Major League Best of 11-2.

Other notables:

Jose Iglesias continues to produce web gems with his glove at shortstop.

Yoenis Cespedes stayed hot going 1 for 3, hitting the game winning RBI and improving his average to .302

Alex Rodriguez went 0 for 4 in his Tiger Stadium “debut”

Alfredo Simon improves to 3-0 on the season and Shane Greene is also 3-0 giving them six wins between them.

On Deck:

Game two of the series against the New York Yankees starts at 7:08 tomorrow, April 21 at Comerica Price with Kyle Lobstein facing right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.