Swisher's ninth-inning single lifts Yanks
The Yankees' Brett Gardner scores a run past Tugers catcher Alex Avila during the second inning. (May 2, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
DETROIT — Nick Swisher hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning off closer Jose Valverde and the New York Yankees beat Detroit 5-3 on Monday night, handing the Tigers their seventh straight defeat.
The Tigers rallied from a 3-0 deficit, tying it in the seventh on Alex Avila’s second solo home run of the night, but the Yankees broke through in their last at-bat against Valverde (2-1). With runners on first and second and one out, Swisher singled up the middle and Mark Teixeira scored from second with a slide. Alex Rodriguez added another run when he scored from third on a passed ball by Avila.
Joba Chamberlain (2-0) got the win by pitching a scoreless eighth, and Mariano Rivera worked a perfect ninth for his 11th save.
