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Yankees-Tigers Preview

May 10, 2010 - 5:06 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

New York (21-8) at Detroit (17-13), 7:05 p.m. EDT

On the same night the New York Yankees say hello to an old friend, the Detroit Tigers bid farewell to one of their organization's true legends.

Johnny Damon faces the Yankees on Monday night for the first time since being signed by the Tigers, who will honor Ernie Harwell as they return to Comerica Park for the first time since the Hall of Fame broadcaster passed away last week.

Harwell spent 42 of his 55 years in broadcasting with the Tigers (17-14) before retiring in 2002, and the man often referred to as the "voice of summer" died at 92 on Tuesday, eight months after revealing he'd been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.

Detroit honored Harwell with a ceremony shortly after he announced he was ill, and before the opener of this four-game set with the Yankees (21-9), it'll say goodbye. A flag with Harwell's initials will be raised as part of the festivities.

"In my opinion, you haven't been a big league ballplayer until Ernie Harwell talks about you," said third baseman Brandon Inge, the lone current Tiger who will participate in the flag-raising. "That man was as genuine as they come. He means more to the Detroit Tigers, the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit than a lot of people."

This is the first meeting between the Yankees and Tigers in 2010 - New York won five of six last season - but the clubs certainly aren't lacking for familiarity.

Just a month after the Yankees won their 27th World Series title, they acquired All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson from Detroit in a three-team deal that sent top prospect Austin Jackson to the Tigers.

That move left little room in the outfield for Damon, who hit .285 with 77 homers from 2006-2009 with the Yankees, and the two-time All-Star is now splitting time between left field and designated hitter in Detroit.

"Personally, I had four great years (in New York) and you can never take away the championship," Damon, who's hitting .294, told MLB's official website. "They went a different way, and so did I. Both places are happy with how things are going."

While Granderson's return to Detroit is on hold due to a groin injury, the Tigers are certainly happy with his successor in center. Jackson has 22 hits in his last 46 at-bats and leads the AL in average (.371), a point ahead of teammate Miguel Cabrera.

New York also signed Marcus Thames in the offseason after the outfielder played in Detroit from 2004-09. He's batting .394 with a homer and four RBIs in 13 games.

Jackson had two hits and scored twice Sunday, but Max Scherzer - who came over from Arizona in the Granderson trade - was roughed up again in a 7-4 loss at Cleveland.

The Yankees had won six straight heading into Sunday's finale at Boston but suffered a rare lopsided loss. A.J. Burnett allowed nine runs in 4 1-3 innings as New York fell 9-3.

That poor outing spoiled Alex Rodriguez's 586th career homer, which tied him with Frank Robinson for seventh place.

"It's good," said Rodriguez, who's hitting .375 (9 for 24) in May. "I've said always that when I retire I'll look back on those things."

Rodriguez doesn't have a hit in three career at-bats against Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.99 ERA), who is showing signs of progress after making just 14 starts the past two seasons.

Willis pitched six shutout innings against the Twins to earn his first win April 29 and retired 12 straight Tuesday at Minnesota after allowing six of the first 10 batters to reach. He didn't receive a decision, giving up three runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 4-3 loss.

Willis hasn't faced the Yankees since 2006 with Florida.

The left-hander will be opposed by Sergio Mitre (0-0, 2.79), who's making a spot start while Andy Pettitte recovers from left elbow inflammation.

Mitre was 3-3 with a 7.16 in nine starts last season, and he's expected to be limited to 70 pitches in his first career appearance against Detroit.

Cabrera is batting .357 and has hit safely in all 15 games he's played against New York.