Yankees 6, Tigers 3
Mark Teixeira, who hit just .136 last April, smashed a three-run homer off Justin Verlander to lead the Yankees to a 6-3 opening day win over the Tigers. It was the Yankees' 11th straight home-opening victory.
Curtis Granderson also went deep for the Bombers, breaking a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning with a solo shot off Phil Coke, who took the loss. The Yankees’ center fielder was a game-time decision with a strained oblique, but it hardly affected him in the field. He made a pair of diving grabs and chased down a deep fly ball in the ninth for closer Mariano Rivera, who shut down the side for the save.
Joba Chamberlain earned the win in relief of CC Sabathia, who struck out seven and gave up two earned runs in six innings. Miguel Cabrera continued his hot hitting off Sabathia, scoring both times he reached base for Detroit. Sabathia’s counterpart Verlander also went six but walked four and threw 114 pitches – the most ever in his first start of the season. It wasn’t the opening Verlander hoped for, as he’s chasing his first 20-win season of his career.