It looked like the game would be a pitcher's duel with the reigning CY Young and AL MVP, Justin Verlander facing the Yankees Ivan Nova who is off to a 3-0 start. However, both pitchers struggled for most of the night. Nova was able to battle early when Ibanez botched a fly ball in left. The play resulted in one run scoring and a runner on third with none out. Nova pitched out of it.

However, later in the game the Tigers sluggers got to him. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder both had RBI singles to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead. A-Rod would pull the Yankees to within a run at 3-2 on an opposite field home run. Russell Martin would temporarily give the Yankees the lead with a two run home run.

Nova was hit hard in the sixth and surrendered the lead as the Tigers hit him hard and he left after 5.1 innings losing 6-4. Austin Jackson hit a two run double and Prince Fielder would get an RBI single to left off of Boone Logan.

The Yankees would scratch back for a run to make it 6-5 and then tied it in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Mark Teixeira.

Rivera pitched the top of the ninth with the score tied at 6 and pitched a perfect inning. He got Avila on a broken bat grounder back to the mound, he struck out Jhonny Peralta looking and Santiago blooped a infield bouncer to short and Jeter threw him out to end the inning.

In the ninth Jeter walked, and when Curtis Granderson walked on a wild pitch that allowed Jeter to get to third base. A-Rod had the chance to be a hero against Villareal and the Tiger fireballer threw a ball in the dirt which went for a passed ball allowing Jeter to score the winning run just ahead of the throw to the plate.

Rivera is now 1-1 on the season with 4 saves in 5 save opportunities and his 2012 season ERA now stands at 2.45.

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