(My Sportsbook) - With 7-1 a lead in the bottom of the fifth it appeared Roger Clemens was headed for career win 300 on Sunday, but the Tigers had no intention of going down easy. Behind timely hitting and four Yankee errors the Tigers fought back and tied the game, sending it into extra innings knotted at 8-8, denying the Rocket win No. 300.

With game still to be decided in the 17th inning, Yankees slugger Alfonso Soriano stepped up to the plate and smashed a solo home run, giving the Yankees the lead. Jorge Posada added an insurance homer later in the inning, which proved to be the difference. The Tigers responded in the bottom of the frame with a run, but former Tigers closer Juan Acevedo retired Shane Halter with two outs and the tying run on second.

"We had some fight in us," Tigers manager Alan Trammell told the Detroit News. "I hope this was a big step for us. Over there, they now know we're not a pushover."

"You have to give the Tigers credit, they played their tails off," Yankees manager Joe Torre told the Detroit Free Press.

Sunday's game marked the third time a pitcher was denied his 300th win in Detroit. Lefty Grove in 1941 and Phil Niekro in 1985 were the other two.

After beginning the season 3-21 in the months of March and April the Tigers went 11-18 in May. The Tigers have yet to win a game when trailing after six innings, going 0-29.

Detroit still has the worst mark in the majors at 14-40.

Sunday's game against the Yankees drew a crowd of 44,095 spectators, which was the largest-ever at Comerica Park.

Nate Cornejo will try for his team-leading fourth win of the season on Tuesday, when the Tigers open interleague play against the San Diego Padres. He has been the Tigers' most effective pitcher, going 3-3 with a 3.00 ERA. Gary Knotts (2-4), who is 1-1 over his last two starts will get the call on Wednesday, followed by Bernero on Thursday. Mike Maroth, who has been bothered by a strained hamstring, is scheduled to pitch against the Giants on Saturday.

WHO'S HOT

Dmitri Young has established himself as the team leader with his red hot play in the month of May. He ended the month hitting .355 with six doubles, three triples and six home runs. His 25 RBI in May was the most in a month by a Tiger player since Dean Palmer drove in 27 in August of 2000.

Bobby Higginson had 13 multi-hit games during the month of May and is now tied for eighth in the league with 20 multiple hit contests.

WHO'S NOT

Halter has just two hits in his last 32 at-bats, with 10 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

Craig Monroe is mired in an 0-for-20 slump and is hitting just .121 with 20 strikeouts in his last 21 games.

COMING UP

The Tigers will embark on a six-game road trip beginning with a three-game set against the San Diego Padres and ending with a three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants.