Tigers-Yankees Preview: Alfredo Simon Ready To Take The Mound
(AP) -- Now that he's achieved yet another milestone, Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees can totally focus on continuing their success in the Bronx.
The Yankees will try to win there for the 11th time in 12 games Saturday night as they continue their series against the Detroit Tigers.
Rodriguez became the 29th player to reach 3,000 hits with a first-inning homer off Justin Verlander in Friday's 7-2 win.
Rodriguez has also recorded his 2,000th RBI and passed Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time home run list - he's now at 667 - this season. He's batting .400 with two homers and nine RBIs in his last 14 at Yankee Stadium.
Rodriguez, however, is 0 for 7 versus Alfredo Simon (7-3, 2.58 ERA), who allowed a homer to Mark Teixeira but struck out seven in 7 1-3 innings of a 2-1 victory over New York on April 20.
"He's been probably our most consistent pitcher on a start-by-start basis," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus told MLB's official website.
Though Detroit starters have a 4.74 ERA during a 2-7 road stretch, Simon is 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA in his last six starts. The right-hander went five scoreless innings before a 1-hour, 51-minute rain delay ended his outing during Sunday's 8-1 victory over Cleveland.
"I just feel great," Simon said. "All my pitches work really good right now."
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