GDT: 5/10/10 - DET (17-14) vs NYY (21-9) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Harwell tribute, then Damon-Yanks reunion

By Bailey Stephens / MLB.com

Johnny Damon's chance to reunite with his former team comes on Monday night.

After four successful years in pinstripes (capped by a World Series championship in November), an offseason of uncertainty and a one-year contract with the Tigers signed in February, Damon will square off against the Yankees for the first time during the regular season when the two teams start a four-game series at Comerica Park.

The reunion will be one-sided, however, since Curtis Granderson, who launched his career in Detroit before being traded to the Yankees in a winter blockbuster, is on the DL with a groin injury and isn't making the trip.

"I think it's always good to see guys that you played with, guys that you managed," Yankees skipper Joe Girardi said. "The Tigers have been playing pretty well, so we'll have four tough games there. But it will be good to see Johnny. I'm sure there will be some laughs [on Monday]."

First, though, the mood will be somber.

Prior to the 7:05 p.m. ET game, the Tigers will honor late broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who died Tuesday at age 92. The event will include a video tribute for the Hall of Famer, the introduction of black uniform patches, a flag with Harwell's initials -- which will be raised by prominent former Tigers -- and Harwell's longtime broadcast partner, Paul Carey, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

"You have to be proud of the life that he was able to have by enjoying this game of baseball," Damon said about Harwell recently.

Monday will kick off a week down memory lane for Damon, whose team will also host the Red Sox from Friday to Sunday.

The Yankees head to Detroit with a 6-2 record in May and are a half-game back of the Rays in the AL East, while the Tigers are 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Twins in the AL Central and are trying to bounce back from a 1-4 road trip.

This may be the first time Damon faces the Yankees in a game that counts. But he certainly had a positive experience against them in Grapefruit League play.

When facing off against the Yankees for the first time on March 13, he notched an RBI single and a solo homer. Then, in Tampa, Fla., on March 28 -- an eventual rainout -- he was greeted with a standing ovation from the fans and on-field applause from Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira.

Damon made it known this offseason that he originally wanted to return to New York. But he's at peace with how things turned out.

"Personally, I had four great years [in New York], and you can never take away the championship," said Damon, who's batting .294 with 14 RBIs in 31 games. "They went a different way, and so did I. Both places are happy with how things are going."

Yankees: Mitre gets first 2010 start

 Sergio Mitre will get his first start of the season on Monday in place of Andy Pettitte, who was skipped in the rotation because of inflammation in his left elbow. The right-hander is expected to be stretched out to about 65-70 pitches. ... The Yankees have a long list of walking wounded these days. The latest casualty is reliever Alfredo Aceves, who left Saturday's 14-3 win over the Red Sox early with lower back soreness after he stumbled off the mound awkwardly following a pitch. "I think we're going to take two or three days just to make sure it's not getting worse," said Aceves, who believed it was the same issue that cost him time during Spring Training.

Tigers: Thomas gets spot start for scratched D-Train
Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the Yankees with an unspecified illness. Willis had been scratched from a start last month at Texas with a stomach virus but had made his last two starts on turn. It is not known whether he has a recurrence of the same illness. Lefty reliever Brad Thomas will start in Willis' place. Thomas filled in for Willis when he was scratched last month, too.

Worth noting
Last season, the Yankees took five out of six from the Tigers and outscored Detroit, 30-15.

... Miguel Cabrera has strong numbers against many teams, but his career work against the Yankees is noteworthy. The Tigers' first baseman has a career .357 average with three homers and 10 RBIs in 56 career at-bats against New York.

... The Yankees lead the AL in batting average, runs and on-base percentage.



Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Brad Thomas (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Dontrelle Willis was originally scheduled to start, but he was a late scratch because he was feeling under the weather. In steps Thomas, who has started once in his seven appearances this season.

NYY: RHP Sergio Mitre (0-0, 2.79 ERA)
Mitre will slide into the Yankees rotation to make a spot start as the club pushes Andy Pettitte back to protect his left elbow inflammation. Mitre has appeared in five games this season for New York, all in relief, and is expected to be stretched out enough to throw 65 to 75 pitches against the Tigers. Mitre will be making his first career appearance against Detroit.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Tuesday, May 11:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (2-3, 7.50 ERA)) vs Yankees (RHP Javier Vazquez (1-3, 9.78 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Wednesday, May 12:
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74 ERA)) vs Yankees (RHP Phil Hughes (4-0, 1.69 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Thursday, May 13:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.50 ERA)) vs Yankees (LHP C.C. Sabathia (4-1, 3.04 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

NY Yankees AVG
Jeter, SS .297
Swisher, RF .306
Teixeira, 1B .202
Rodriguez, A, 3B .278
Cano, 2B .353
Posada, C .274
Thames, DH .394
Gardner, CF .344
Winn, LF .192
Totals .281

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .371
Damon, DH .294
Ordonez, RF .287
Cabrera, M, 1B .370
Boesch, LF .318
Inge, 3B .252
Sizemore, 2B .241
Laird, C .138
Everett, SS .182
Totals .278

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Nick Swisher walks.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Alex Rodriguez flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson called out on .


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Johnny Damon called out on .


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Swisher.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball
to third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera
advances to 2nd, on throwing error by third baseman Alex Rodriguez.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nick Swisher. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera scores.

DET 2, NYY 0

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, shortstop Derek Jeter to second baseman Robinson Cano. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

DET 2, NYY 0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Robinson Cano walks.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Jorge Posada singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Robinson Cano to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Marcus Thames flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:3 S:2 O:2 - Brett Gardner grounds into a force out,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Scott Sizemore. Robinson
Cano to 3rd. Jorge Posada out at 2nd. Brett Gardner to 1st.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Randy Winn pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

DET 2, NYY 0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Scott Sizemore walks.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a ground ball to left fielder Randy Winn. Scott Sizemore to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 - Adam Everett out on a sacrifice bunt,
third baseman Alex Rodriguez to second baseman Robinson Cano. Scott
Sizemore to 3rd. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop
Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira. Scott Sizemore scores.
Gerald Laird to 3rd.

DET 3, NYY 0




B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

DET 3, NYY 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Derek Jeter lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Nick Swisher walks.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Mark Teixeira homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Nick Swisher scores.

DET 3, NYY 2

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Alex Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2 - With Robinson Cano batting, Alex
Rodriguez picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Brad Thomas
to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Robinson Cano grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 3, NYY 2 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Brett Gardner.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

DET 3, NYY 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Brad Thomas.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jorge Posada flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Marcus Thames flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brett Gardner grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 3, NYY 2 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge swinging.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird walks.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Randy Winn.

DET 3, NYY 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Randy Winn singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Derek Jeter swinging.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Nick Swisher singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Randy Winn to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Mark Teixeira grounds into double play,
pitcher Eddie Bonine to shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel
Cabrera. Nick Swisher out at 2nd.

DET 3, NYY 2 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Johnny Damon homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.

DET 4, NYY 2


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: David Robertson replaces Sergio Mitre.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Alex Rodriguez to first baseman Mark Teixeira.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (12) on a fly ball to center fielder Brett Gardner.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.



B:4 S:0 O:2 -
David Robertson intentionally walks Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, wild pitch by David Robertson, Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

DET 4, NYY 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Alex Rodriguez walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Robinson Cano grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alex Rodriguez to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
With Jorge Posada batting, wild pitch by Eddie Bonine, Alex Rodriguez to 3rd.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Jorge Posada walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Eddie Bonine.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Marcus Thames pops out to second baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brett Gardner walks. Jorge Posada to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Randy Winn flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

DET 4, NYY 2 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to center fielder Brett Gardner.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett singles on a line drive to left fielder Randy Winn.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Austin Jackson batting, Adam Everett steals (2) 2nd base.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

DET 4, NYY 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Nick Swisher swinging.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Mark Teixeira pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

DET 4, NYY 2 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Boone Logan replaces David Robertson.


B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Johnny Damon walks.


B:1 S:1 O:2 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, shortstop Derek Jeter to second baseman Robinson Cano to first
baseman Mark Teixeira. Johnny Damon out at 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Brett Gardner. Miguel Cabrera scores.

DET 5, NYY 2

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

DET 5, NYY 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 5th, playing left field.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Alex Rodriguez singles on a line drive to shortstop Adam Everett.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Robinson Cano singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Alex Rodriguez to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Jorge Posada walks. Alex Rodriguez to 3rd. Robinson Cano to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Francisco Cervelli replaces Jorge Posada.


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Marcus Thames singles on a ground ball
to shortstop Adam Everett. Alex Rodriguez scores. Robinson Cano to 3rd.
Francisco Cervelli to 2nd.

DET 5, NYY 3


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Joel Zumaya.


B:1 S:0 O:1 - Brett Gardner grounds into a force out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to shortstop Adam Everett. Robinson Cano scores. Francisco Cervelli to 3rd. Marcus Thames out at 2nd. Brett
Gardner to 1st.

DET 5, NYY 4


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Randy Winn pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Derek Jeter lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET 5, NYY 4 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half
B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Francisco Cervelli remains in the game as the catcher.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joba Chamberlain replaces Boone Logan.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore swinging.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird called out on .


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Everett swinging.

DET 5, NYY 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Ryan Perry.


B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Nick Swisher swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Rodriguez swinging.

DET 5, NYY 4 FINAL SCORE

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