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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
NEW YORK -- For five innings, the Detroit Tigers felt
sluggish because of a noon start following a humiliating loss. Then
they broke through.
Juan Encarnacion had three RBI, including a two-run single to
cap a four-run sixth inning off Andy Pettitte, as Detroit rallied
to beat the New York Yankees 5-3 Thursday.
|  | | Andy Pettitte, who struck out 10, was cruising until a disastrous four-run sixth inning gave Detroit the lead. |
"The energy definitely wasn't there early. Guys were
dragging," said Bobby Higginson, whose run-scoring single started the
rally. "Then in one inning, Pettitte lost it and the next thing
you know, we have four runs."
The Tigers, who lost the opener of the two-game series 9-1
Wednesday night, improved to 6-2 against New York. The Yankees had
won 11 of 15 games overall, and 11 of 13 home games against
Detroit.
"When you play the world champions, you want to show up and
perform the best you can," closer Todd Jones said. "Maybe
subconsciously we play a little better against that class of
team."
Willie Blair (6-2) allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3
innings to win for the third time in four decisions against New
York. Deivi Cruz went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and
is batting .517 against the Yankees this season.
Pettitte (9-6), who shut out Detroit three weeks ago on three
days' rest, was equally tough through the first five innings. The
left-hander was aggressive early, striking out the side in the
third inning and not allowing a runner to reach third through five.
He lost his control and a 3-0 lead in the sixth. Pettitte walked
the first two batters of the inning -- his first two of the game -- before allowing an run-scoring single to Higginson.
"I walked two guys in that inning and opened the gates for
them," Pettitte said. "This one is a tough one to swallow. ... To
give away a game like that, it's frustrating."
After Pettitte struck out the next two hitters, Cruz grounded an
RBI single to left field, and the runners moved to second and third
when Felix Jose bobbled the ball for an error.
Encarnacion then grounded a two-run single to center to give
Detroit a 4-4-3 lead and draw boos from the crowd. Encarnacion
added a run-scoring single in the eighth off Jeff Nelson to score Cruz.
"Encarnacion did a great job," manager Phil Garner said. "He
made some adjustments and drove the ball up the middle. That's what
he's been doing all year."
Jones pitched the ninth for his league-leading 26th save in 27
chances. After New York record put runners on first and second on a
one-walk to Chuck Knoblauch and a single by Derek Jeter, Paul
O'Neill hit into a game-ending double play.
"He's been lights out all year," Garner said. "We know that
when we get the ball to him with a lead that we've won the game."
Pettitte allowed four runs -- three earned -- and seven hits in
seven innings. He struck out a season-high 10.
The Yankees had taken a 3-0 lead in the second on a solo homer
by David Justice, his 26th, and a two-run shot by Jorge Posada, his
15th. Posada had been in a 3-for-25 slump with no homers since July
4.
New York threatened again in the fifth, loading the bases with
two outs for Tino Martinez. But Blair got Martinez to pop out to
end the inning.
"That was the key right there," Garner said. "That got us
deeper in the game."
The Yankees had runners on first and second and one out in the
seventh. But Cruz, who made an error earlier in the inning, made a
diving stop at shortstop to rob Bernie Williams of a hit and get
the force at second. C.J. Nitkowski got Justice to ground out to
end the inning.
The Yankees went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
"We had opportunities, but we couldn't cash in on them,"
Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "That's why I say we feel like we
had our pockets picked because it looked like we were in pretty
good shape to win that game. We just couldn't take advantage of
it."
Game notes
The Yankees have 12 home runs in the last seven games,
including four by Justice. ... Pettitte has started on three days of rest three times in the past three weeks. He is 1-2 with a 2.01 ERA
in those games. ... Detroit second baseman Damion Easley has a 99-game
errorless streak at second base. ... Tigers outfielder Rick Becker went
0-for-5 with five strikeouts -- four looking -- in the series. ...
Knoblauch went 2-for-2 with three walks.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Detroit Clubhouse
NY Yankees Clubhouse
RECAPS
Detroit 5
NY Yankees 3
Minnesota 5
Chi. White Sox 1
Boston 11
Baltimore 7
Baltimore 9
Boston 4
(2nd game)
Oakland 5
Seattle 4
Kansas City 10
Cleveland 6
Toronto 6
Tampa Bay 5
Anaheim 6
Texas 1
Montreal 4
NY Mets 1
Pittsburgh 9
Milwaukee 2
Philadelphia 3
Chicago Cubs 2
Atlanta 5
Florida 3
Florida 6
Atlanta 1
(2nd game)
Arizona 3
St. Louis 2
San Francisco 7
San Diego 3
Houston 6
Cincinnati 2
Los Angeles 6
Colorado 3
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