Detroit Tigers heading South

The Detroit Tigers in the middle of a 6 game losing streak took on the New York Yankees at Comerica Park on Monday night.  The first place Yankees came into the game with a 16-9 record leading the American League East Division.    Justin Verlander took the mound to try to get the Tigers out of the slump that they have fallen into since sweeping the White Sox a week ago.   In a low scoring game that the Yankees won 5-3 despite two home runs by catcher Alex Avilla.  The Tigers haven't received the timely hitting that they have during the start of the season.   Austin Jackson, Maggilo Ordonez and Brandon Inge are struggling at the plate currently and some chances need to be made by Manager Jim Leyland.   Following the game Scott Sizemore was called up from the Toledo Mudhens and Will Rhymes was sent down.  

Verlander struggled through the first two innings and then settled down to finish with six innings pitched and 8 strikeouts.  But the damage was done by allowing 3 runs that the Yankees used to maintain the lead until Avilla's second home run of the night tied the game in the 8th inning.   The Yankees pushed across two runs in the top of the ninth off of reliever Jose Valverde to take the 5-3 lead.   Detroit's closer over the past week have struggled with both Valverde and Joaquin Benoit having some rough outings.   Things down look promising in the near future with 3 more games against the 1st place Yankees this week.   Manager Jim Leyland still believes in his club and thinks that they will pull out of this soon.