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Burnett hopes to turn the page against Tigers

Apr 2, 2011 - 2:31 PM (Sports Network) - A.J. Burnett tries to put an awful 2010 behind him this afternoon when the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers resume their season- opening three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

After winning 13 games in his first season in pinstripes in 2009, Burnett produced the worst statistical season by a Yankee starter ever last year, going 10-15 with a 5.26 earned run average. After opening the year by winning his first four decisions, Burnett went on to lose all five of his starts in June and was 3-8 after the All-Star break with a .5.95 ERA.

The 34-year-old right-hander has had success against the Tigers over the course of his career, posting a 3-1 mark, despite a 7.34 ERA in six starts.

New York won the first matchup between these teams on Thursday, as Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer and Curtis Granderson slugged a go-ahead solo blast in the seventh, helping the Yankees to a 6-3 victory.

CC Sabathia pitched six innings in the start for the Yankees, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven.

The New York bullpen shut down the Tigers from there, tossing three perfect frames. Joba Chamberlain (1-0) got the win, while Mariano Rivera earned his first save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

"It was great to see the way we did it," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "Tex has a three-run homer, big homer by Grandy, get six innings from your starter. Bam, bam, bam, go to your bullpen. Works out nice. It's how you draw it up."

Miguel Cabrera scored twice and Brandon Inge finished with two hits and one RBI for Detroit, while Phil Coke (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing the go-ahead home run to Granderson.

Cabrera has now hit safely in 23 of his 24 career games against the Yankees, notching a .365 (31-for-85) lifetime average with eight home runs and 20 RBI.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander allowed three runs and struck out eight in six innings, but only after surviving a shaky start.

Getting the call for the Tigers today will be veteran right-hander Brad Penny, who will be making his Detroit debut. Penny, though, made only nine starts last season with the St. Louis Cardinals because of injuries and was 3-4 with a 3.23 ERA.

In three starts against the Yankees Penny has posted a 1-1 mark with a 6.60 ERA.

The Yankees split their eight matchups with the Tigers last season, but are 10-5 against them since the start of the 2009 campaign.