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A-Rod powers Yankees past Tigers

Sep 2, 2008 - 5:01 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees did just enough in the early innings to avoid a late collapse.

Rodriguez ignited a four-run first inning with a two-run single as the Yankees built an early nine-run lead Monday afternoon and held on for a 13-9 triumph over the Detroit Tigers.

It was just the third victory in the last seven contests for the fading Yankees (73-64), who remain seven games behind the Boston Red Sox (80-57) for the American League's wild card spot. The Red Sox beat Baltimore on Monday.

"The bottom line is we won," Rodriguez said. "We can't get caught up in how it happened. We lose that game, I don't know how we recover from that."

Rodriguez was booed lustily at Yankee Stadium last week, when he batted .208 (5-for-24) during New York's six-game homestand. The All-Star third baseman failed in numerous clutch situations during the homestand, as the Yankees went just 2-4 over that stretch.

But Rodriguez was outstanding during Monday's matinee at Comerica Park, finishing with three hits and four RBI. The reigning league MVP gave New York a 2-0 lead with his two-run hit up the middle off Detroit starter Justin Verlander (10-15).

Johnny Damon's solo homer highlighted a four-run second inning, and New York tacked on three more runs in the third to take an 11-2 lead. However, the Tigers erupted for six runs in the fourth inning and clawed within 11-9 on Magglio Ordonez's RBI single in the fifth.

Derek Jeter gave New York some breathing room in the sixth, lining a two-run hit to make it 13-9.

"It was real important," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Jeter's hit. "Those were two big two-out RBI."

Damon finished with three hits and three runs, Jeter had two singles and Bobby Abreu added three hits for the Yankees, who pounded out 17 hits. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez had two hits in his return to Detroit, where he spent the past 4 1/2 seasons before being acquired for reliever Kyle Farnsworth on July 30.

"It was special, it was nice," Ivan Rodriguez said.

"I appreciate that very, very, very much from the fans. I got some goosebumps. I remember in Texas they did the same thing. It was great. It means that all the four years that I was here, I did a great job, I did a great job for the organization, for the fans. It was a very nice moment ."

New York starter Sidney Ponson lasted just three-plus innings, allowing seven runs - six earned - and nine hits. Righthander Brian Bruney (2-0) worked 1 2/3 scoreless relief frames to record the win.

"I didn't do what I was supposed to do today," Ponson said.

Verlander pitched just 1 2/3 innings in the shortest start of his career. The fourth-year righthander surrendered eight runs - five earned - and seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

"I didn't feel very good today - there's nothing wrong with my arm or anything," Verlander said. "I just didn't feel right. I was just out of sync, my control was erratic and I didn't make the pitches when I needed to."

"We had some long at-bats and he was throwing a lot of pitches," Jeter said.

Ordonez had three hits while Miguel Cabrera, Brandon Inge and former Yankee Gary Sheffield all homered for the Tigers, who have lost six of their last eight games.