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Yankees Declaw Tigers in Game 1 of ALDS

By Tom Liddy | October 2, 2011 3:51pm

MANHATTAN — The Yankees roared to a 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in the first game of the playoffs Saturday night, a day after play was suspended due to rain.

The Bombers were propelled to victory at home in part by a grand slam from Robinson Cano, the team's first in the postseason in nearly 12 years, according to MLB.com.

"It's not about one player; it's about the whole team," said Cano, according to the report. "But they put me in a spot that they had to pitch to me. It's good the way that came through tonight. We're not going to take it for granted."

The Yanks put up six runs in the sixth, including Cano's slam to pull ahead to an 8-1 lead.

The Yankees' performance at the plate was matched by the pitching of Ivan Nova, who struck out five.

"I was so excited; I could not believe it," said Nova, according to MLB.com. "After the first inning, I came back normal. I was more confident, and I slowed down everything."

The win put the Yankees up 1-0 in the American League Division Series.

The game was originally scheduled for Friday night, but it was suspended due to rain in the second inning.

Play picked up again Saturday in the bottom of the second inning with Nova replacing ace CC Sabathia and Doug Fister stepping in for Justin Verlander for Detroit.

Game 2 was underway Sunday afternoon.