"I think Skip ( Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland) wanted me to show the Yankees I still have something in the tank," Zumaya said. "I wanted to go at 'em. I can't stand the Yankees, man."

What is it about them that bothers him?

"There's little things I can't stand about them," Zumaya said. "They haven't seen me for two years, but it brought back memories."

Leyland was not pleased when, before returning from a rehabilitation assignment in Toledo, Zumaya commented that he was ready for the Yankees.

But there appears to be no settling him down when he prepares to face the Yankees.

The curve spoke more for him.

"Just throwing it for strikes will be the key to my success," Zumaya said. "It keeps hitters off my fastball."

Granderson hits rare homer

Curtis Granderson joined Bobby Higginson as the only Detroit Tigers to hit a home run off New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

Granderson's three-run shot off Rivera in the ninth inning Wednesday night was the first Rivera has allowed at Comerica Park. Higginson hit his off Rivera on July 6, 1999 at Tiger Stadium.

"With (Rivera), you just hopefully hit it before it cuts and keep it fair" Granderson said. Rivera has allowed just 55 homers in his career.

Perry wild again

Rookie reliever Ryan Perry was wild in his second consecutive appearance against the Yankees. Perry pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday, but walked three batters.

On Tuesday, Perry took the loss, giving up one hit and four runs, two earned, while walking two during the Yankees' 10-run seventh inning.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland understands wildness may be a problem.

"That's going to be a part of it for awhile," Leyland said of Perry's wild streaks. "But I'm certainly willing to live with it."

Guillen settles in at DH

Carlos Guillen has not played left field since April 22 in Anaheim, making his seventh consecutive start at designated hitter Wednesday because of an ailing right Achilles' tendon.