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Yanks shoot for fifth straight win and sweep of Tigers

Jun 21, 2015 - 1:35 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Yankees try to follow up one of their best offensive performances of the season when they close out a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at home on Sunday afternoon.

Winners of four straight, the Yankees put on an amazing hitting display Saturday during their 14-3 rout of Detroit. Still a game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the American League East, New York registered a season-high 18 hits and matched their top scoring effort as the team smashed five home runs, marking the 11th time in the last 16 home games that the club has gone deep at least twice.

Carlos Beltran delivered a pair of home runs, one from each side of the plate for the 12th time in his career. With the versatile display Beltran is one shy of the all-time record for the feat.

Also coming up big once again for the Yankees was embattled designated hitter Alex Rodriguez, following up his Friday performance when he stroked his 3,000th hit by connecting on his 14th home run of the season and plating five runs overall.

"I just think that he's thriving on being back in the game, something that was almost taken away," manager Joe Girardi said of Rodriguez. "Sometimes you get up and we can take some things for granted. Just getting up every day we take for granted. And sometimes when you go through some scares, you come back much more relaxed and happy and know how lucky you are to be able to put a uniform on. I think he's thriving off of that."

Brett Gardner and Chris Young both had three hits and scored twice for the Yankees, while Didi Gregorius and Chase Headley each crossed the plate twice for the hosts during the onslaught.

Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi navigated six innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, while fanning four. Bryan Mitchell secured his first save as he gave up one run on four hits in three innings.

Alfredo Simon suffered the loss for the Tigers, a team which is now third in the AL Central, 6 1/2 games out of first. The hurler failed to make it out of the third inning after being hammered for seven runs on eight hits and three walks. Relievers Ian Krol and Tom Gorzelanny permitted three runs apiece as the Yankees built a 13-0 lead after five innings.

J.D. Martinez and James McCann each had two hits for Detroit, the former scoring one of the unit's three runs.

"It's just one of those blowout games that you have a handful every year, where you get blown out," commented Detroit managed Brad Ausmus. "It's just the timing of it is less than ideal... After losing a few in a row and you get blown out, obviously the bitterness is more biting."

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka will be taking the ball for the home town team this afternoon. Tanaka, who has yet to register a decision against Detroit in his two seasons in the majors, is coming off just his second loss of 2015 on Monday versus Miami.

Against the Marlins the hurler allowed just two runs on nine hits over seven innings, striking out six as he saw his four-game win streak come to an end.

Anibal Sanchez is set to counter for Detroit. The right-hander from Venezuela was brilliant in his last outing on Monday when he threw a two-hit shutout against Cincinnati at home. In picking up his second straight win, after losing three in a row, Sanchez struck out seven without walking a single batter.

For his career, which began with Miami in 2006, Sanchez is 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA in four all-time matchups with the Yankees.