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Verlander, Mussina take the hill in series finale

Aug 27, 2007 - 1:36 PM NY Yankees (72-58) at Detroit (70-60) 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Mike Mussina might be fighting for a spot in the rotation.

Mussina takes the ball with the hopes of helping the New York Yankees earn a split in the finale of a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Monday.

Considered one of his worst career starts, Mussina (8-9, 5.22 ERA) was tagged for seven runs on seven hits over just 1 2/3 innings of an 18-9 setback at Anaheim last Tuesday.

Following the righthander's disappointing performance, New York manager Joe Torre said Mussina could be in danger of losing his spot in the starting rotation.

Mussina has surrendered 13 earned runs in his last two starts - both losses. He is 17-6 in 30 lifetime outings when facing the Tigers.

Detroit ace Justin Verlander (13-5, 3.94) also is hoping to bounce back from a lackluster start, allowing seven runs and season-high 10 hits in a loss to Cleveland.

On August 16, the hard-throwing righthander battled through 5 1/3 frames in an 8-5 victory over the Yankees in New York. Verlander is 6-3 with a 4.62 ERA in 13 career starts against the Yankees.

Curtis Granderson led off the bottom of the first inning with an inside-the-park home run and Carlos Guillen and Marcus Thames added two-run homers as the Tigers posted a 5-4 win on Sunday.