NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit closer Jose Valverde held off a furious New York ninth-inning rally and the Tigers avoided a major slip-up, beating the Yankees 5-3 on a rainy Sunday and evening their best-of-five AL playoff series at one game apiece.
The Yankees scored twice in the ninth and, helped when Detroit catcher Alex Avila lost his footing on the slick on-deck circle, got a chance to win it.
Robinson Cano, who hit a grand slam and had six RBIs as the Yankees won the opener, came up with two outs and runners on first and second. After wiping away raindrops from his helmet, Cano hit a routine groundball to end it.
Tigers starter Max Scherzer pitched no-hit ball into the sixth inning.
Game 3 is Monday at Detroit.
