Verlander Fans 14 In 7-2 Win Over Yanks

The Yankees (63-45) and the Tigers (59-50) started a four game series on Monday evening and the Yankees were faced with the daunting task of hitting against defending Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander. Verlander was his usual self dominating the Yankees in the 7-2 Tigers victory. Verlander went eight innings gave up 2 runs (0 earned) on eight hits and struck out 14. Verlander threw a season high 132 pitches.

It wasn’t the same story for Ivan Nova who struggled in his outing going 5 1/3 giving up seven runs on 11 hits and struck out five. The Tigers got on the board first thanks to solo homers from sluggers Prince Fielder in the second inning and Miguel Cabrera in the fourth inning. It was Fielders 19^th of the season and Cabrera’s 28^th. Cabrera’s was a monster of a home run traveling an estimated 455 feet to left center field.

The Yankees scored two runs in the fifth inning off Verlander although they were unearned runs. Eric Chavez led off the fifth with a double, Verlander then struck out Ichiro and Russell Martin. Curtis Granderson then hit a routine ground ball to Prince Fielder at first base; Fielder played the ball cleanly flipped to Verlander who was covering first who proceeded to bobble the ball allowing Granderson to reach.  This led to back to back RBI singles from Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano tying the game at 2.

From there it was all Tigers who scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Omar Infante and Austin Jackson each had RBI singles and Andy Dirks drove in the third run with an RBI sac-fly. In the bottom of the sixth Alex Avila laced an RBI single knocking Nova out of the game. Joba Chamberlain came on in relief and the first batter, Jhonny Peralta ripped an RBI single giving the Tigers a 7-2 lead.

One of the few positives for the Yankees, the banged up Eric Chavez went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles.

The Yankees will play the Tigers again on Tuesday night. Phil Hughes (11-8 3.96) will get the start for the Yankees while Rick Porcello (8-6 4.65) will go for the Tigers. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.