The New York Yankees scored two runs in the ninth inning to fall just short to the Detroit Tigers, 6-5, on Tuesday night in Game 2 of the four-game series at Comerica Park. Ichiro Suzuki and Russell Martin drove in runs at the bottom of the order with two outs to bring up Curtis Granderson and two runners on base. Granderson popped out to first base to end the game and cap an 0-for-5 night at the plate, however.
The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to an Eric Chavez two-run home run off Rick Porcello (9-6). That lead didn't last long as Phil Hughes came apart beginning in the bottom of the inning. Miguel Cabrera led off with a home run to bring the Tigers back within a run. Jhonny Peralta hit an RBI-double four batters later to tie the game.
Hughes left with one out in the fifth inning after Cabrera struck again, this time with a two-run double to give the Tigers the lead for good. Hughes finished with eight hits and four earned runs against and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Ichiro drove in Nick Swisher with a double in the seventh inning but the Tigers pushed their lead to 6-3 with a single from Andy Dirks, who went 3-for-4 on the night.
Joba Chamberlain pitched for a second straight day, relieving Clay Rapada after one out in the eighth inning. Chamberlain gave up two hits and an earned run with a walk and a strikeout. Jose Valverde earned his 22nd save of the season despite giving up three hits and two earned runs in the ninth.
Game 3 of the series is set for 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday. CC Sabathia (11-3, 3.53 ERA) will look to give the Yankees their first win of the series against the Anibal Sanchez (1-1, 4.50) of the Tigers.
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