Tigers Tame Yanks in Game 2; Verlander Shines as Zumaya Heats it Up.

The Detroit Tigers showed resilience and an ability to fight back against a New York club that many believe boasts the greatest lineup ever assembled.

Trailing by two runs after four innings, the Tigers clawed their way back and scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to knock of the New York Yankees 4-3.

Justin Verlander got through 5 1/3 innings giving up three runs on seven hits. All three runs came in the fourth inning when Johnny Damon reached the upper deck in right field for a three run homer.

Tigers designated hitter Marcus Thames went 3-4 and drove in Detroit’s first run in the top of the second off Yankees starter Mike Mussina.

After Damon’s homerun gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the fourth the Tigers cut the deficit to one their next time up when Curtis Granderson’s sacrifice fly scored Thames. Carlos Guillen then tied it in the sixth with a homerun to right.

Despite giving up the two runs, Yankees manager Joe Torre stayed with Mussina and the Tigers made him pay. Thames led off the seventh with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, and over to third on a sacrifice by Brandon Inge. Granderson then tripled to deep left scoring Thames and giving the Tigers a 4-3 advantage.

The Tigers bullpen shut the door on the Yankees for 3 2/3 innings to earn Detroit a split in the series. Joel Zumaya pitched 1 2/3 innings and struck out three Yankees with a fastball that was clocked at 102 mph. Closer Todd Jones pitched the ninth and got Damon to fly out to center, leaving Derek Jeter on-deck. 

With the series tied at one, game three moves to Detroit tomorrow night.