Yanks Fall Short To Tigers, Lose 4-3

The Yankees (28-24) tied the game once in the eighth and again in the ninth but it was a walk off sac-fly in the bottom of the ninth that led the Tigers (25-28) to a 4-3 win over the Yankees on Saturday night. David Phelps gave up two hits in ninth before Boone Logan came on to face Ramon Santiago who was intentionally walked. Omir Santos then laced a line drive to right field deep enough to score Brennan Boesch from third winning the game.

Hiroki Kuroda pitched well in his seven innings of work. Kuroda gave up two runs on seven hits and struck out four. Tigers starter Rick Porcello gave up one run on six hits in six innings pitched.

Miguel Cabrera was the star for the Tigers belting two home runs over the 420 foot center field wall. The first Cabrera home run came in the fourth inning off of Hiroki Kuroda and was an absolute monster home run estimated at 466 feet.  The second home run came in the eighth inning and put the Tigers up 3-2 looking like it would be the game winner.

Nick Swisher tied the game in the eighth inning off of Tigers reliever Octavio Dotel. Swisher drove an RBI single to right field scoring Mark Teixeira.

The Yankees would load the bases off of Tigers closer Jose Valverde in the ninth but only were able to score one run when Mark Teixeira walked. Valverde was exceptionally wild and did not even allow a hit in the inning; he hit Russell Martin, walked Derek Jeter and hit Alex Rodriguez before the Teixeira RBI walk.  Valverde ended up getting the win putting him at 3-1.

The game was delayed in the bottom of the first inning for 38 minutes due to rain.

Joe Girardi and Kevin Long were both tossed from the game in the top of the seventh inning after a heated exchange between Girardi and home plate umpire Bob Davidson.

The Yankees play the Tigers again Sunday afternoon. Phil Hughes (4-5 5.64) starts for the Yankees while Justin Verlander (5-3 2.55) will start for the Tigers. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30, first pitch at 1:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.