TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Hiroki Kuroda gave up six runs and 10 hits over 3 2-3 innings Wednesday as the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers played to a 7-7 tie in 10 innings.
Nick Castellanos drove in two runs with a double during Detroit’s four-run, six-hit first inning against Kuroda. Trevor Crowe had a two-run double during the third.
“I think the velocity is pretty good,” Kuroda said through an interpreter. “It’s a matter of small changes mechanically. I need to make adjustments, especially on my slider. I had a hard time finding good pitches, so that’s what led to a bad result.”
Kuroda also faced the Tigers last Friday, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out five over 2 2-3 scoreless innings.
Anibal Sanchez allowed one run, three hits and struck out three in four innings for Detroit. The right-hander retired his first six batters before Francisco Cervelli hit a third-inning solo homer.
Sanchez also pitched against the Yankees last Friday, allowing two runs and four hits, including a long two-run homer to Carlos Beltran, in three innings.
“He did a nice job, same as last time,” Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. “Looked like he had a little extra zip on his fastball.”
Cervelli hit his second solo shot of the game in the fifth off Evan Reed.
The start was delayed 26 minutes due to rain.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: Shortstop Jose Iglesias, sidelined by shin splints on Feb. 27, might play this weekend.
“I guess he could be,” Ausmus said. “It depends on how he feels. We’re really waiting for this pain to subside enough so that he can get in the lineup.”
Yankees: Infielder Brendan Ryan, out with lower back tightness, played catch and ran, but is not expected back until next week.
REPLAY REVIEW
The Yankees lost their first challenge of an umpire’s call in the seventh inning when Brian Roberts was called out at first after second baseman Devon Travis misplayed his grounder but recovered to make the throw in time.
“I thought he was out, but I wasn’t sure,” New York manager Joe Girardi said. “I didn’t want to wait for our (replay) guy, because it was the seventh inning, to get back to me.”
Girardi said he probably would not have challenged the call if it was the regular season.
Roberts thought he was out, but understood the interest in testing the expanded replay system.
“We already had the answer on our walkie-talkie before they (the umpires) even got the headset on,” said Ausmus of talking with his replay man.
MORE MO
The Yankees will be giving away a bobblehead of Mariano Rivera at Thursday’s game at Steinbrenner Field, the same day a split-squad will leave for two games in Panama, the home country of the career saves leader.
Girardi, Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia will be among those playing Miami in Panama City, where Rivera, who retired after the 2013 season, will be honored.
“I’m excited,” Girardi said. “I want to see the (Panama) Canal. See things I’ve never seen.”
New York University announced Rivera will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the school’s commencement at Yankee Stadium on May 21. Among others receiving honorary degrees are U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, singer Aretha Franklin and lawyer Martin Edelman.
MOVES
Tigers: Luis Marte was given his unconditional release. The right-hander, who made 17 appearances for Detroit in 2011 and 2012, had right shoulder surgery last year.
Detroit also optioned right-hander Melvin Mercedes and left-hander Casey Crosby to Triple-A Toledo. Right-hander Jose Valdez and catcher Ramon Cabrera were optioned to Double-A Erie. Right-hander Drew VerHagen, left-handers Duane Below and Robbie Ray, and catcher James McCann were sent to the minor league camp.
Yankees: Left-hander Nik Turley and outfielder Slade Heathcott were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Catcher Gary Sanchez was optioned to Double-A Trenton.
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