Robinson Cano launched a grand slam and drove in six runs, and Ivan Nova was strong in relief of CC Sabathia as the Yankees took a 1-0 series lead over the Tigers.
Robinson Cano, Ivan Nova Power Yankees To 9-3 Game 1 Rout
Getty ImagesThe game picked up Saturday with the Yankees coming to bat in the bottom of the second, and the score 1-1. Against Nova and the New York bullpen, the Tigers would not add to their total until garbage time in the ninth. Against Doug Fister and the Detroit bullpen, the Yankees would.
Nova protected the one-run lead in the top of the sixth, and then in the bottom half, the door was blown open. It very nearly was not. The Yankees had two outs and two runners in scoring position, and Fister had an 0-and-2 count on Brett Gardner. But Gardner grounded the next pitch into right-center for a two-run single that provided critical insurance.
Read Article >Robinson Cano Grand Slam Blows Doors Wide Open
Doug Fister’s final line in this game:
4⅔ innings, 7 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
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Derek Jeter Helps Ivan Nova Escape Fifth-Inning Jam
Doug Fister, Ivan Nova All Settled In
Yankees Waste Golden Opportunity Against Doug Fister
CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander Stun Baseball With Early Exit In Game One
Well, it was because of the weather on Friday night, but there’s no need to be pedantic.
What was supposed to be the pitchers’ duel of pitchers’ duels turned into a wet, soggy mess. And with Sabathia throwing two innings on Friday before the game was suspended, the Yankees were understandably reluctant to bring him back on Saturday. Sabathia even lobbied to start Game Two, but according to Ken Rosenthal ...
Read Article >Yankees, Tigers Have ALDS Schedule Changed Due To Rain
The remainder of Game 1 has been shifted to Saturday, and the teams will pick up where they left off, with the Yankees coming to bat in the bottom of the second and the score even at one.
Game 2 has been shifted to Sunday, eliminating what was previously a scheduled off day. Now the Yankees and Tigers will not get a day to travel.
Read Article >Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia Have Schedules Reworked Due To Rain
The downside here for the Tigers is that Saturday’s Game 1 lineup will face a righty even though it was put together to face a lefty. The Yankees get it worse, though, because all of a sudden, Sabathia will start only one game, where he was originally likely to get two if the series advanced beyond three games. That’s a big, big blow.
So that’s the way things are for now. We’ll see whether rain causes further complications on Saturday. Which it very well might.
Read Article >MLB Playoffs 2011: Tigers Roster Includes All Five Starting Pitchers
For more on the Tigers, visit the SB Nation team blog Bless You Boys.
Read Article >Detroit Tigers (Mostly) Set ALDS Rotation
Yankees Set Rotation Behind Sabathia
NEW YORK, NY: Ivan Nova of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) Getty ImagesIt wasn’t until yesterday, though, that we learned who will start Games 2 and 3 for the Yankees. And the news is surprising for any number of reasons.
Nova, despite pitching well for the Yankees, was actually sent to the minors for a few weeks in July, and his current status as the Yankees’ No. 2 starter probably says equal parts about his growth and their desperation.
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