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DETROIT TIGERS (10-2) vs. NEW YORK YANKEES (6-6)

RHP Alfredo Simon (2-0, 2.3) vs. LHP C.C. Sabathia (0-2, 5.68)
Monday, April 20, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers claimed the rubber game of their three-game series vs. the White Sox with a 9-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. Yoenis Cespedes belted a pair of home runs including his first career grand slam, and drove in six runs in the win, while Victor Martinez was 3×3 with three runs scored, a double and a RBI. Ian Kinsler also added two hits and scored a run. Shane Greene started for Detroit and improved his record to 3-0 after allowing one run on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 7.0 innings. The Tigers continue their 10- game homestand tonight as they begin a four-game series vs. the Yankees. Following the series vs. New York, the Tigers close their homestand this weekend with a three-game set vs. Cleveland.

CESPEDES IS GRAND: Yoenis Cespedes recorded the first grand slam of his big league career on Sunday off of White Sox starter, Jose Quintana. For Cespedes, the grand slam continued his hot hitting with the bases loaded. In his career, Cespedes is hitting .500 (13×26) with five doubles, one home run and 37 RBI in his career with the bases loaded.

CABRERA, IGLESIAS ON TARGET VS. SABATHIA: Miguel Cabrera and Jose Iglesias have each put up impressive numbers against CC Sabathia. Cabrera is hitting .345 (10×29) with two doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI vs. Sabathia, while Iglesias is batting .455 (5×11) with a RBI. Among active players with at least 10 at-bats vs. Sabathia, Iglesias’ .455 batting average ranks fourth, while Cabrera’s 12 RBI also ranks fourth.

STREAKING: Nick Castellanos extended his hitting streak to seven games after going 1×3 with a double and RBI on Sunday vs. the White Sox. Over his last seven games, Castellanos is hitting .375 (9×24) with three doubles and two RBI.

EASY BEING GREENE: Shane Greene continued his impressive start to the 2015 season on Sunday, working 7.0 innings and allowing one run on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 7.0 innings. Greene had his streak of not allowing an earned run snapped at 21.0 innings after Jose Abreu hit a RBI triple in the sixth inning. Greene is the first Tigers pitcher to start a season with three starts of 7.0-or-more innings, while allowing one-or-fewer earned runs since Jack Morris in 1984. Through three starts, Greene has a 3-0 record with a 0.39 ERA (23.0IP/1ER), 12 hits allowed and 11 strikeouts.

JACKIE ROBINSON DAY: In keeping the memory of Jackie Robinson alive and celebrating the 68th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers hosted the 19th Annual Detroit Tigers Jackie Robinson Art, Essay and Poetry Contest. Tigers players are scheduled to join contest winners and Jackie Robinson Foundation Alumni and Scholars from the University of Michigan as they are honored during a special pre-game ceremony on the field at Comerica Park. The contest was open to middle and high school students from the Detroit metropolitan area. Students entered the contest by submitting an original essay, poem or work of art in honor of Jackie Robinson. The winners of the contest are: Paige MacDonald (8th grade) and Brittany Richmond (12th grade) in the art category, Delaney Troup (7th grade) and Kathleen Power in the essay category and Jordan Troup (6th grade) and Janee’ Wiseman (9th grade) in the poetry category. The contest winners are joined on the field by Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar Alumni Shani Allison, Alexis Dishman, Elizabeth Gill, Lauren Fladger and Amber Spears. Also, as part of Jackie Robinson Day, Larry Brinker, Sr., CEO of Universal Glass and Metals will be presented the Jackie Robinson Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner Award during an on-field, pregame recognition.

MARIO’S MVP PROGRAM: On Monday home games during the 2015 season, Tigers broadcaster Mario Impemba invites 30 Veterans of all eras and their families to come down to the ballpark on the FSD Fan Express and enjoy a Tigers game. Each Veteran is given a special “MVP” t-shirt, game ticket and food voucher thanks to Mario Impemba and the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities. Guests from the After Impact Ranch, a program of Eisenhower Center will attend the game on April 20 and will have the opportunity to meet Impemba prior to the game at the FSD stage in the Brushfire Grill at 5:40 p.m.

TONIGHT’S TIDBITS

• The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out by Anthony Dirrell the WBC World Super Middleweight Champ, a representative of FOX Sports Detroit and a representative of Belfor.
• The national anthem will be performed by the Regina High Choral Ensemble of Warren, Michigan.
• The first 5,000 fans will receive a Tigers Navy Knit Hat, courtesy of Carhartt.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 10-2 / Streak: W1
Game #13 / Home #7
Home: 5-1 / Road 5-1

TIGERS VS. YANKEES

2015 Record: 0-0
2015 at Home: 0-0
2015 at New York: 0-0
All-Time Record: 937-1,056-9
All-Time at Home: 520-479-5
All-Time at Comerica Park: 32-28
All-Time at New York: 417-577-4

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 4-1
Last 10 games: 8-2
Last 15 games: 10-2
Last 20 games: 10-2

This content was originally published on April 20, 2015. It was delivered electronically to specific media contacts and the entire Detroit Tigers front office staff, as well as being available to media in the press box and distributed to fans at program stands around Comerica Park.