Nine-Run Sixth Inning Powers New York Yankees Past Detroit Tigers
August 19, 2010 · Christopher Woodley · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
After only scoring one run in the series opener on Monday, New York had no problem scoring against Detroit pitching in the final three games.
The Yankees used a nine-run sixth inning Thursday afternoon to break open a close game en route to an 11-5 win over the Tigers at Yankee Stadium.
New York took three of four from the Tigers and improved to a season-high 29 games over .500. Detroit pitching allowed 27 runs in the four-game series.
Miguel Cabrera continued his assault on Yankee pitching in the top of the first. With a runner at first and two outs, Cabrera homered off Yankees starter Phil Hughes to give the Tigers an early lead. It was his fourth home run of the four-game series and his 31st of the season.
After being held hitless over the first three innings, the Yankees got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Teixeira and Cano singled. Swisher followed with a run-scoring single to center field on a 3-0 pitch. After Posada flied out to deep left, Granderson delivered an RBI single to tie the game at two.
With the game tied at two in the bottom of the sixth, the Yankees used an offensive explosion to run away with the game. Mark Teixeira led off with a walk and scored on Robinson Cano’s RBI double to left-center. After Nick Swisher walked, Jorge Posada swung at a 3-0 pitch and delivered a run-scoring single to score Cano from second to give the Yankees a 4-2 advantage.
Daniel Schlereth relieved Tigers starter Rick Porcello and walked Curtis Granderson, the only batter he faced. With the bases loaded and still no outs, Austin Kearns greeted new pitcher Robbie Weinhardt with a two-run double to deep center field. After one out, Brett Gardner walked, but ball four eluded Tigers catcher Alex Avila, allowing Granderson to score from third.
Derek Jeter continued the sixth inning scoring spree with a two-run triple to center field. Cano, batting for the second time in the inning, capped off the nine-run inning with his 24th home run of the season to give New York an 11-2 lead. Cano finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI.
After New York’s nine-run sixth inning, Detroit answered with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh off of reliever Sergio Mitre. Jhonny Peralta hit a solo home run with one out and Austin Jackson added an RBI single up the middle with two outs to cut the Yankees lead to 11-4. The Tigers added another run in the top of the eighth on Brennan Boesch’s RBI single.
Despite allowing a home run to Cabrera in the first, Hughes (15-5) became the fourth American League pitcher to win 15 games this season. He allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts over six innings. Hughes won his second consecutive start for the first time since winning five straight from May 28 to June 19. Mitre allowed three runs on six hits in three innings of relief but was credited with his first save of the season.
Porcello (5-11) held the Yankees hitless over the first 3.1 innings before falling apart in the sixth. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks over five innings.
New York will open a three-game series against Seattle on Friday at Yankee Stadium. Felix Hernandez (8-10, 2.62), who has two complete game victories over the Yankees this season, will start for the Mariners. A.J. Burnett (9-10, 4.66) will take the mound for the Yankees. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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