Mike Mussina's the Yankees' union rep, and he said Sept. 1st would be preferable if it's a day game. The Yankees start a three-city trip to Tampa, Seattle and Anaheim the next day, so it wouldn't be good to have the super-late arrival in Tampa. A day game then (it's Labor Day) would be better than July 24th though since they'd have to play 20+ games in a row with the July option.

This rainout could allow the Yankees to skip Kei Igawa. They weren't helped in their efforts to do that with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's game getting rained out. Ian Kennedy was slated to start today, and if he had pitched well, he could have pitched Friday. But now Kennedy was pushed back. Igawa may pitch Thursday or Friday, or they could replace him in the rotation.

It’s raining right now in Detroit. The tarp is still on the field. Looks like they will wait to see if they can get this one in.

Stay tuned for weather updates.

Sorry folks, this one has been postponed. No word on when it will be made up.

Yankees
Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Abreu DH
Jeter SS
Giambi 1B
Duncan RF
Cano 2B
Molina C
Gonzalez 3B

Pettitte LHP

Tigers
Rodriguez C
Polanco 2B
Guillen 3B
Ordonez DH
Cabrera 1B
Thames RF
Renteria SS
Raburn LF
Inge CF

Robertson LHP

Here are some notes on Robinson Cano and Jason Giambi, each of whom has begun having more success in the past few days. In the past seven days, Cano is batting .318 (7-of-22) with two doubles, two homers and four RBIs. Giambi is batting .267 (4-of-15) with two doubles, two homers and six RBIs.

I talked to Giambi before yesterday's game about whether Thursday's game (in which he homered off Paul Byrd) could help jump-start him. He said: "Everybody wants to keep talking about results, and that's what matters. But I'm making contact. It'd be a different situation if I was striking out or not making contact. I feel great (at the plate)."
That's why this slump has been tough for him (still hitting only .178 on the year), because he feels like his approach is one that should bring success. "Trust me, it's not fun to be looking up and see those numbers," said Giambi, who homered last night too.
Just three players in the American League had more than Giambi's seven home runs. Of his 16 hits this season, 12 have gone for extra-bases.

The Yankees sit in 4th place, 4.5 games behind the Red Sox, while the Tigers are also in 4th, but just 3.5 games behind the Twins in a relatively weak AL Central thus far.

Today, Darrell Rasner (1-0, 3.00 ERA) will toss his second game of the season. Since Kei Igawa doesn't really seem like the fix for the Yanks' starting pitching problems, the onus is on Rasner to stick in the rotation until Phil Hughes heals and Ian Kennedy works out his issues down on the farm.

Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 4.17) gets the ball for the Tigers. He was great in his last start against the Yanks on April 30 at the Stadium.

While watching the first game of the Mets doubleheader, I heard an interesting stat. Gary Cohen said that the Mets have the highest percentage of lefty at-bats in the major leagues at 67 percent. The Yankees were the second at 62. The league average? 42 percent. Surely not having A-Rod (righty) and Posada (switch hitter) in the lineup affects that stat.

Maybe that's why the Yankees are just 4-6 against lefties this season. Won't be a problem today against the righty Robertson, but I thought it was an interesting stat nevertheless.

Okay we're almost ready for baseball on FOX!!

Top of the 1st: The captain homered for the first time this season to give the Yanks a 1-0 lead. Then two straight singles by Abreu and Matsui were followed by walks to Giambi and Melky, the latter walking in a run to give the Yanks a 2-0 lead.

Cano hit a rocket to second baseman Ramon Santiago with the bases loaded and one out, but he started a nifty 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and avert potential disaster for the Tigers in the first inning.

Bottom of the 1st: Matt Joyce hit his first career home run, on what looked to be an easy fly ball. But Abreu lost it in the sun and the ball carried right over the right centerfield fence to pull the Tigers within one at 2-1. Otherwise, Rasner looked okay, but the mistake to Joyce cost him.

Top of the 2nd: A 1-2-3 inning for Bonderman. Betemit and Chad Moeller gave the ball a ride, but both were warning track shots. Granderson made a nice running catch on Betemit's drive. Damon struck out for the second time today, and looks uncomfortable with Bonderman's off-speed stuff.

Bottom of the 2nd: Rasner looks like he's settled down now. He got Miguel Cabrera to fly out, struck out Gary Sheffield and got Edgar Renteria to ground out to third. He only has thrown 26 pitches, while his counterpart Bonderman already has 41. Could be a short day for the Tiger starter.

Top of the 3rd: Bonderman looked like he's settled down as well, getting Jeter and Abreu to ground out and then striking out Matsui on three nice sliders.

Bottom of the 3rd: The Tigers squandered a leadoff single by Pudge Rodriguez. Santiago bunted him over, but Granderson grounded out and Joyce popped out. Why did Leyland bunt with no outs and a runner on first? Does he think runs will be at a premium with Rasner dealing? Seemed like an odd play, especially with a guy (Santiago) who's been hitting at a .370 clip this season.

Top of the 4th: Two out hits will get you to heaven, they say. Betemit flied one to the deepest part of the park in dead center to score Robinson Cano, who walked. Yanks lead 3-1, but Betemit looks like he tweaked something on the play, and he was yanked in favor of Morgan Ensberg. The Yanks can't afford any more injuries, so I'm sure they are hoping Betemit's injury isn't serious.

The Yanks are making Bonderman work today. He's got 79 pitches through four innings.

Bottom of the 4th: Rasner has his second 1-2-3 inning of the game. He's given up just two hits through four innings, and thrown just 49 pitches so far. Just what the doctor—er, manager—ordered.

Top of the 5th: After a Jeter single, Girardi dialed up a hit-and-run. Abreu served a pitch into left field, and when Matt Joyce slipped, Jeter was able to score and Abreu moved to second. Yanks took a 4-1 lead.

Leyland lifted Bonderman after that in favor of Bobby Seay. Bonderman went 4+, allowing five earned runs on six hits, with three strikeouts and four walks.

Giambi doubled in Abreu to make it 5-1 Yanks. The run was charged to Bonderman.

Cano singled with two outs but Giambi blew past Bobby Meachem's stop sign at third base and was thrown out by Pudge trying to retreat.

Bottom of the 5th: Rasner walked Sheffield to start the inning (his first base on balls issued this season), but Jeter made a nice stab on a Renteria liner. Sheffield was moving on a hit-and-run, so he was easily doubled up. Seems like Leyland is really trying to manufacture runs against Rasner, but nothing seems to be working. Pudge lined out to end the inning. Rasner has only 60 pithes through five innings. Great effort by him today.

Top of the 6th: Ensberg walked, the fifth issued by Tigers pitching, but Damon grounded out on a fielder's choice and then was thrown out trying to steal second.

Bottom of the 6th: Granderson gave the ball a ride, but Abreu caught it on the warning track for the second out. Joyce singled with two outs, and has two of the Tigers' three hits, but he was stranded there after Guillen grounded into a force out.

Top of the 7th: 1-2-3 go Jeter, Abreu and Matsui off Seay. Still 5-1 Yanks.

Bottom of the 7th: Magglio Ordonez singled to lead the inning off, and Rasner was pulled after 87 pitches in favor of Kyle Farnsworth. He pitched wonderfully, allowing two earned runs on four hits over six innings with one strikeout and one walk.

Farnsworth gave up a single to the first batter he faced, Miguel Cabrera, and then Gary Sheffield ripped a shot down the left-field line to score Ordonez, and make it 5-2 Yanks.

Renteria had a soft pop to Cano for the first out, and then Pudge went down swinging on a 3-2 count. Placido Polanco pinch hit for Santiago and flew out to Jeter to end the inning. After some early jitters, Farnsworth did a nice job getting out of a 2nd and 3rd, no-out jam.

Top of the 8th: Francisco Cruceta came in and sat the Yankees down 1-2-3. He struck Melky out on a nasty changeup. By the way, Seay did a nice job in relief, allowing just two hits and a walk over three innings with one strikeouts and no runs.

Bottom of the 8th: Joba struck out Granderson for the first out and induced ground outs by Joyce and Guillen for a 1-2-3 inning. No fist pumps after the inning. Mo Rivera will face the heart of the Tigers' order in the ninth.

Top of the 9th: Cruceta gave up a two-out bloop single to Damon, but Jeter stranded him there after striking out looking. (Cruceta pumped his fist after the out, for the record.)

Nice job by the Tigers' bullpen keeping the Yankees within reach, with five inning of work and no runs. The offense hasn't chipped away at the lead though.

Bottom of the 9th: Mo Rivera gave up a leadoff single to Magglio Ordonez (7-of-13 off Rivera), but got Cabrera to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. Sheffield grounded out to Cano to end the game.

Yanks win, 5-2.

Here's the recap:

WP--Rasner (2-0)
LP--Bonderman (2-4)
HR: NYY 1 (Jeter, 1st), DET 1 (Joyce, 1st)

Yankees (19-19)
Tigers (16-22)

Darrell Rasner threw six innings, allowing two earned runs of four hits with a walk and a strikeout. Derek Jeter went 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs, and Bobby Abreu went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs.

Take care everyone!

Yankees
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Betemit 3B
Moellerr C

Rasner P

Tigers
Granderson CF
Joyce LF
Guillen 3B
Ordonez RF
Cabrera 1B
Sheffield DH
Renteria SS
Rodriguez C
Santiago 2B

Bonderman P

Yet, after the game, Igawa seemed to have no realization how badly he pitched. He said he wished he had gotten more strikeouts, and that the Tigers found holes with their ground balls. Really?? They launched shots to the outfield all game against him. Joe Girardi said Igawa only commanded his fastball for strikes. Igawa, though, said he thought his changeup was good and slider not too bad.

Hmmm, something's not translating.

Oh, and Jonathan Albaladejo is going on the disabled list. He's headed to New York in the morning to have an MRI on his right elbow.

Top of 1st: The Yanks had something cooking with two on and one out, but Rogers, the crafty veteran, got Matsui to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Bottom of 1st: It wasn’t a pretty inning for Igawa. He got hit hard, allowed a leadoff double to Ivan Rodriguez, who later scored on sacrifice fly by Carlos Guillen. He allowed a double to Ordonez, but escaped further trouble when he got Miguel Cabrera to fly out to end the inning. Tigers 1, Yankees 0.

Top of 2nd: The Giambino homered to right to tie things up. Wilson Betemit followed with an infield single, but got picked off by Rogers to end the inning. Yanks 1, Tigers 1.

Bottom of 2nd: Nice inning for Igawa. No further damage has been done. Let’s see if he can settle down now.

Top of 3rd: The Yanks had first and second with one out on a double by Cabrera and a walk by Jeter, but Abreu struck out and Matsui hit a weak grounder back to Rogers.

Bottom of 3rd: Not a good inning for the Yanks. First Duncan couldn’t handle a throw by Jeter. Then Betemit failed to few plays. Pudge ripped an RBI double past him; he could not bare hand a weak grounder from Polanco; then Ordonez lined a run-scoring single past him, before Sheff hit an RBI double. Tigers 4, Yanks 1.

Top of 4th: The Yanks go down in order.

Bottom of 4th: Igawa’s major league career may just be over. He gave up four singles in the inning, including RBI base hits to Pudge and Polanco, forcing Girardi to take him out. Jonathan Albaladejo came in and didn’t allow anymore runs. Ordonez struck out looking to end the inning. Igawa’s line: six runs on 11 hits in three innings. Tigers 6, Yanks 1.

Top of 5th: The Yankees are just not getting any timely hitting. Cano and Cabrera each singled in between a Moeller strikeout, but the Captain hit into an inning-ending double play.

Bottom of 5th: Betemit made up slightly for his poor fielding by starting a double play on a ball hit by Sheffield. Yankees keep Tigers off the board. Let’s see if they can get to the old man and score more runs.

Top of 6th: Not sure if they Yankees are bad or Rogers is really good? Might by a combination of the two, I suppose. The Yankees had second and third on a single by Duncan and a double by Giambi, but Betemit grounded out to third to end the inning. Still 6-1, Tigers.

Bottom of 6th: Albaladejo left the game with a right hand injury. Let’s hope he is ok. LaTroy Hawkins relieved him and got Polanco to line out to second and Guillen to ground out to first. Granderson, who hit for Raburn, singled, stole second and went to third on Moeller’s errant throw.

Top of 7th: OK, the Yankees got one back. Cano led off the inning with a ground-rule double, which ended Rogers night, and moved to third on a wild pitch by Zach Miner before trotting home on a single by Moeller. Tigers 6, Yankees 2.

Bottom of 7th: 1-2-3 inning for Hawkins. He got Ordonez and Cabrera to ground out to Jeter then struck out Sheffield.

Top of 8th: Yanks go down in order. One more inning to go, folks.

Bottom of 8th: Looks like Betemit won’t be playing third base again anytime soon. He has looked awful there. Renteria hit one to him to start off the inning and he made another error. Luckily, the error didn’t cost the Yankees as Thames grounded out, Granderson struck out and Pudge flied out. Edwar Ramirez pitched the inning by the way after Hawkins pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings.

Top of 9th: The Yankees scored three runs off closer Todd Jones on a run-scoring groundout by Cano, an RBI single by Jeter and an RBI double by Abreu. But after intentionally walking Matsui with two outs, Jones got Duncan to fly out. Final: Tigers 6, Yankees 5.

*Kyle Farnsworth was pleased about his suspension being reduced from three games to one game, saying: "I thought it was going to be two at the least. I think it all worked out good."

*Joba Chamberlain does not plan to change anything about the way he shows emotion on the mound, despite all the critics on sports talk radio, ESPN, Jim Rome and the like.
"It is what it is. I got to where I'm at because I am who I am. I'm not going to change that."
He mentioned several players who are very emotional in the game, such as Manny Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano, and said that's who they are. He said he wouldn't mind if a hitter -- David Dellucci or anyone -- showed emotion after beating him.
Joe Girardi said he has no plans to say anything to Chamberlain about showing less emotion. "I don't believe Joba's showing anybody up."

*Brian Cashman said Alex Rodriguez will have an MRI Monday morning. That means Rodriguez could play in an extended spring training game as early as Tuesday, and perhaps be ready to come off the disabled list Thursday.

*The Padres claimed left-hander Sean Henn off waivers.

Lineup
Yankees
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui LF
Duncan 1B
Giambi DH
Betemit 3B
Cano 2B
Moeller C

Igawa LHP

Tigers
Rodriguez C
Polanco 2B
Guillen 3B
Ordonez RF
Cabrera 1B
Sheffield LF
Renteria SS
Thames DH
Raburn CF

Rogers LHP

Sounds like Alex Rodriguez's rehab is going swimmingly. The AP report out of Tampa says he took 57 swings in batting practice, and fielded 31 grounders at third base. It says he hit several long home runs, and ran in the outfield, and said the session went "good."
Jorge Posada also took batting practice for the first time since going on the DL. The report said he took 28 swings right-handed and 26 left-handed.

Since this has been discussed ad nauseam on talk radio, do you like Joba Chamberlain getting pumped up on the mound or is it too much?

Probably the most interesting thing to watch from a Yankees standpoint is how Kei Igawa fares in his first big league start this season. He is 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and has 40 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. But the major leagues were much tougher for him last year. The Yankees keep getting lots of left-handed pitching opponents, with Kenny Rogers on the mound tonight for Detroit and Nate Robertson on Sunday. Right-hander Jeremy Bonderman will pitch Saturday for the Tigers.

Cleveland Indians (16-17) at Yankees (17-18), 1:05 p.m.

Starters: Paul Byrd (1-2, 3.74) for the Indians and Mike Mussina (4-3, 4.23) for the Yankees.

Broom and doom: The Indians go for their first three-game sweep of the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in over 19 years in the series finale this afternoon.

Last starts: Byrd got a no-decision, scattering four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings in his team's 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners last Thursday. Mussina has won his last three starts, including a win over Seattle last Saturday. He allowed a run and seven hits in six innings against the Mariners.

We'll have game updates here. Just click your refresh button. The live chat box and polls will appear below.

Top of 1st: Grady Sizemore starts the game with a single to right. Jamey Carroll grounded into a fielder's choice (Sizemore was out at second). David Dellucci flied out to centerfield. What is Dellucci doing batting third and DHing? Jhonny Peralta struck out. Good comeback by Mussina.

Bottom of 1st: 1-2-3 inning for Paul Byrd.

Top of 2nd: Mussina counters with his own 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom of 2nd: First hit of the day for the Yankees, a single to left center by Hideki Matsui. Matsui's hitting streak is now at 17 games. But no damage. Jason Giambi flied out and Melky Cabrera grounded into a double play on a hit-and-run attempt.

Top of 3rd: Another 1-2-3 inning for Mussina. And he's only thrown 37 pitches through three innings.

Bottom of 3rd: We've got a semi-pitcher's duel going here. Byrd retires the Yankees in order.

Top of 4th: After giving up the leadoff single to Sizemore, Mussina has now retired 12 straight. Seven outs have been on groundballs.

Bottom of 4th: Johnny Damon homers to right to put the Yankees on the board. Matsui is still hot at the plate and got his second hit of the afternoon. Jason Giambi cranks his first homer at the Stadium since last August -- a two-run shot -- and the Yankees get to Byrd and post a three spot. Yankees 3, Indians 0.

Top of 5th: Well, that was a quick. Casey Blake's big RBI double (he went to third on the throw home) chased home two runs. Bobby Abreu couldn't come up with Blake's hit as it glanced off his glove a few steps before the wall in right. Blake scored on a RBI single through the hole at shortstop and third to tie the game. Yankees 3, Indians 3.

Bottom of 5th: Robinson Cano's leadoff double leads to a run. After a productive sacrifice fly to center by Wilson Betemit moved him to third and Jose Molina failed to get him in, Damon picked Molina up with a double to left to put the Yankees back on top. Yankees 4, Indians 3.

Top of 6th: Ross Ohlendorf is in to relieve Mussina and he tossed a 1-2-3 inning to keep the Tribe at bay a half inning after the Yankees regained the lead.

Bottom of 6th: Yankees go down quietly and we move to the seventh.

Top of 7th: Another scoreless inning by Ohlendorf. He's looked solid today and has allowed only one hit in two innings of work.

Bottom of 7th: Byrd came out for the seventh, but got pulled after Cano smashed a solo shot into the seats in right. He's stroking the ball well today. Betemit joined the HR party with a deep shot to center and the Yankees' offense is in gear. Yankees 6, Indians 3.

Top of 8th: Joba Chamberlain shook off his last outing and pitched a relatively easy scoreless inning of relief. He even got the guy who homered off of him Tuesday, David Dellucci, swinging.

Bottom of 8th: Matsui lines into a double play with Abreu running to end the eighth and the Yankees will have to settle for a three-run lead going into the ninth. "Enter Sandman" is playing so you know what that means.

Top of 9th: Mariano Rivera collects save No. 9 and the Yankees salvage the final game of this three-game series with the Tribe. Time for them to hit the road for a seven-game road trip that will take them to Detroit and Tampa and time for me to go to the clubhouse for some postgame thoughts. Final: Yankees 6, Indians 3.