• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Yankees, Tigers resume division series after rainout

Oct 5, 2006 - 1:08 PM Detroit at NY Yankees 1:09 pm EDT American League Division Series Yankees lead, 1-0

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - Awaiting his first start of this postseason, Mike Mussina kept a low profile Wednesday while a light rain fell at Yankee Stadium.

Hours after the ensuing rainout, Mussina takes the mound for the New York Yankees as they look to take a 2-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in the American League Division Series.

The 37-year-old Mussina (15-7, 3.51 ERA) tries to build upon the Yankees' momentum of Tuesday's 8-4 victory in the series opener. Despite the Tigers' 19-32 record since August, he knows they can not be taken lightly.

"It's the postseason. It's a different focus," Mussina said. "You don't worry about the regular season. What has happened in the last week, what has happened in the last month, you don't worry about that stuff. ... We have to go out there and try to be the first one to win three games this week and that's all we're really focusing on."

Mussina started the season winning 13 of his 16 decisions before suffering a minor groin injury. He was 2-4 in the last two months of the regular season.

"I know when he came over here (in 2001), he seemed very comfortable not being considered the opening day starter and things like that," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Not that he certainly doesn't shy away from the responsibility. ... The pressure of the game doesn't bother him, but I don't think he's crazy about the attention."

After throwing in the outfield prior to the postponement, Justin Verlander (17-9, 3.63) again gets the call for Detroit. The 23-year-old righthander was 4-5 in August and September after recording 10 victories prior to the All-Star break.

"It's definitely a new test," Verlander said. "You know, postseason is just another thing that I haven't experienced yet, just like everything else was this year. ... If I treat it different, then you know, something might change. But I'm just going to treat it the same way as the regular season and try not to get too excited or let my emotions get carried away."

Derek Jeter became the sixth player in history to collect five hits in a playoff game, Bobby Abreu drove in four runs and Jason Giambi belted a two-run homer for the Yankees in Game One.

Craig Monroe and Curtis Granderson homered for Detroit, which has lost its last six contests.

Game Three will be played at Comerica Park on Friday.