(Sports Network) - Kei Igawa gets another shot this evening when the New York Yankees play the opener of a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Igawa was a huge bust for the Yankees last season after the team spent $26 million to negotiate with him before signing the Japanese lefty to a five-year $20 million contract. The Japanese hurler, who has never faced the Tigers, was 2-3 a year ago with a 6.25 earned run average in 14 games, 12 of which were starts.

The 28-year-old hurler, who has been summoned back to the big leagues due to Phil Hughes' rib injury and Ian Kennedy's ineffectiveness, was 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA this year at Triple-A Scranton.

New York enters this series following an impressive win on Thursday against the Cleveland Indians, as the Yankees salvaged the finale of that three-game series by belting four home runs on their way to a 6-3 win at Yankee Stadium.

Johnny Damon was 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs batted in, while Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit all smacked homers for the Yankees, who finished their nine-game homestand at just 4-5.

The homers were enough to make a winner of Mike Mussina (5-3), who lasted five innings after allowing three runs on four hits. Mariano Rivera, appearing in his 800th career game, came on in the ninth for his ninth save of the season.

New York will be starting a seven-game road trip tonight that will conclude with a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yanks are 9-9 away from home this season.

Detroit, meanwhile, has struggled since sweeping the Yankees, as it has dropped six of seven since, including three of four in Boston, where it dropped a 5-1 decision on Thursday at Fenway Park. Ramon Santiago knocked in the lone run for the Tigers in the loss.

Justin Verlander (1-6) was tagged for nine hits and five runs in the setback, his third straight setback.

Detroit will turn to veteran left-hander Kenny Rogers to stop the bleeding tonight. Rogers, who is 2-3 with a 6.27 ERA this season, received a no- decision in his last start against Minnesota, as he allowed five runs (three earned) and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of his team's 7-6 loss.

Rogers had beaten the Yankees two starts ago and is 6-7 lifetime against them with four saves and a 6.25 ERA in 36 games (15 starts).

The Tigers have won the last five and six of their last seven meetings with the Yankees. New York dropped three of four in the Motor City a year ago.