Bronx, NY (Sports Network) – Robinson Cano’s two-run home run capped a nine- run sixth inning as the New York Yankees clobbered the Detroit Tigers, 11-5, in the finale of a four-game set.
Cano finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored while Austin Kearns and Derek Jeter each drove in two runs for the Yankees, who took the final three games of the set after dropping the opener. Phil Hughes (15-5) got the win as he was charged with two runs on four hits with six strikeouts over six innings of work.
The win moved New York into first place in the AL East, a half-game ahead of Tampa Bay, which plays Oakland later on Thursday.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run home run while Jhonny Peralta added a solo shot for the Tigers, who had won three straight prior to losing the final three games of the series. Rick Porcello (5-11) went five-plus innings in the start and was charged with six runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
New York got its first hit of the game with one out in the fourth as Mark Teixeira singled. Cano then singled and Nick Swisher’s one-bagger scored Teixeira. After Jorge Posada flied out, Curtis Granderson singled to tie the game, 2-2.
After giving up a one-out single to Will Rhymes with one out in the third, Hughes retired 11 straight batters through the sixth inning and in the bottom of the frame, the Yanks blew the game wide open.
Teixeira led off with a walk and Cano brought him home with a double. After Swisher walked, Posada singled to bring home Cano.
Daniel Schlereth then took the mound and walked Granderson before handing the ball to Robbie Weinhardt. Kearns greeted Weinhardt with a two-run double and, after Ramiro Pena grounded out, Brett Gardner worked a walk that saw ball four get past catcher Alex Avila, allowing Granderson to score. A Jeter triple later in the frame scored two more and Cano’s two-run blast made it an 11-2 game.
Detroit got a couple back in the seventh on Peralta’s solo home run and an RBI single from Austin Jackson that made it 11-4.
The Tigers got another run in the eighth when Ryan Raburn led off with a double and came home as Brennan Boesch followed with a single.
Sergio Mitre finished off his three-frame outing with a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the year.
Detroit jumped on top in the first inning as Rhymes singled with one out and, two batters later, Cabrera jumped on a 3-2 pitch and deposited it over the wall in right center for a 2-0 lead.
The Yankees host Seattle for three games starting on Friday…Each team won four games in the season series…The Tigers return home to face Cleveland for three games starting on Friday…Hughes moved to 4-2 lifetime over seven games against Detroit…Porcello fell to 1-2 in three starts against New York…Cabrera reached the 100-RBI mark in the game. It is the seventh straight season he has reached that plateau…Before the game, the Yankees placed designated hitter Lance Berkman on the 15-day disabled list with a right ankle sprain. The team called up infielder Eduardo Nunez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his spot on the roster.
— Boxscore