Justin Verlander was so close to throwing back-to-back postseason shutouts, but a ninth inning home run by Eduardo Nunez led to Jim Leyland taking Verlander out of the game after he got Brett Gardner to ground out for the first out of the ninth.
Phil Coke came in and allowed two two-out singles to Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano before he got Raul Ibanez to strike out to end the game.
Verlander didn’t have his best stuff tonight, as he only struck out three batters, but he fought hard in this one. He fell behind in a lot of counts only to come right back and record outs.
Verlander gave up just three hits and threw 132 pitches.
Delmon Young continues to be the Tigers’ Mr. October, as he hit another postseason home run to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Miguel Cabrera drove in the Tigers’ second run in the fifth inning with a double to deep right center field.
The Yankees will turn to their ace tomorrow, CC Sabathia, who the Tigers have yet to see in this series.
Game time is 8 p.m. from Comerica Park.
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