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Yankees-Tigers Preview

May 12, 2010 - 2:57 PM New York (21-10) at Detroit (18-14), 1:05 p.m. EDT

It may be difficult for the New York Yankees to avoid their first three-game losing streak with Javier Vazquez on the mound.

The struggling Vazquez makes his first start in 11 days when the Yankees try to end the Detroit Tigers' six-game home win streak in the opener of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.

New York (21-10) has lost back-to-back games for the third time this year after falling 5-4 in the opener of this four-game set Monday night. Tuesday's meeting was postponed due to rain.

Bouncing back behind Vazquez (1-3, 9.78 ERA) won't be easy.

Acquired from Atlanta in the offseason for his second stint with the Yankees, Vazquez gave up eight runs in his season debut April 9 at Tampa and hasn't been much better since. He allowed five runs over three-plus innings May 1 and did not get a decision in a 7-6 loss to Chicago.

Manager Joe Girardi decided not to pitch Vazquez this past weekend in Boston.

"He wants to get back out there and pitch, and that's how I would expect him to be," Girardi said. "But I just thought he could use a little time to catch his breath."

Vazquez threw a pair of side sessions during his time off. The Yankees want him to improve on his lack of control, which has resulted in 15 walks in 23 innings.

"When you're struggling like this in a market like this, it's louder and harder," general manager Brian Cashman told the Yankees' official website. "He's not running from it. You can see that it bothers him. It hurts. He wants success, he wants to do right by everybody."

Vazquez is 2-5 with a 6.09 ERA in seven starts at Comerica Park. The right-hander has fared well against Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez (.194) but not versus Miguel Cabrera (.391).

Tigers starter Rick Porcello (2-3, 7.50) will face the Yankees for the second time in his career in Game 1. He allowed six runs over a season-low 3 2-3 innings in an 8-6 home loss April 29, 2009.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 5.51 ERA in three outings at home. He has given up at least five runs in four straight starts, yielding five over 5 1-3 innings in a 5-4 loss at Minnesota on Wednesday.

New York's Phil Hughes (4-0, 1.69) will oppose Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74) in the nightcap.

Hughes hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his five starts while striking out 31 over 32 innings. He gave up two runs over seven in a 10-3 win at Boston on Friday night.

His confidence, Hughes said, "is up there. I'm throwing the ball well. I'm just trying to keep it going. There's a lot of season ahead of us."

The right-hander is 2-2 with a 5.30 ERA in five appearances against Detroit, going 1-2 with a 6.32 ERA in three starts.

Bonderman hasn't received a decision in his last three starts, with the Tigers winning each time. His last outing was washed away after he allowed five runs on six straight hits with one out in the third inning of Friday's matchup at Cleveland, which was rained out after four innings were completed.

The right-hander is 3-7 with a 5.55 ERA in 12 games - 11 starts - against the Yankees.

New York saw a familiar face contribute to its loss Monday as Johnny Damon homered in his first game against the team that didn't re-sign him.

"We've all seen him do that a lot," Girardi said. "Some of the time on our side and some of the time on the other side."

Detroit (18-14) improved to 10-3 at home - second in the AL to New York's 10-2 mark - as rookie Brennan Boesch drove in three runs. Boesch has 10 RBIs in five home games.

Mark Teixeira continued his surge for New York with a two-run homer, giving him four in three games. Shortstop Derek Jeter, though, went 0 for 5 and is 4 for 31 in his last seven contests.