2011 MLB Playoffs: A.J. Burnett Saves Yankees Season with 10-1 Game 4 Win

Going into Tuesday night's game, not too many people had much confidence with A.J. Burnett on the mound for the Yankees.

With their backs against the wall and the series in the favor of the Detroit Tigers 2-1, the Yankees were sending their most inconsistent pitcher onto the hill with their 2011 season on the line.

On Tuesday night, the Yankees got the Burnett they were hoping for when they signed him back in December of 2008.

Burnett escaped a shaky first inning, loading the bases for Don Kelly who started in place for Magglio Ordonez.

Kelly ripped the ball to center field, but Curtis Granderson made an amazing leaping catch to make the final third out and prevent the Tigers from going up 3-0 and maybe even 4-0 in the first inning.

It's that kind of play that has made Granderson the MVP-type candidate he has played like all season long.

That was exactly the type of inning Burnett needed to get out of without any damage, especially considering he walked three in the first.

Burnett finally slowed down and settled into a rhythm, getting the Detroit hitters to over-swing themselves out of rhythm.

The Tigers had 22-year-old New Jersey native Rick Porcello on the mound, making his first playoff start for the Tigers. He was fine until the third inning.

After striking out to end Game 3, Derek Jeter came back into Game 4 with a vengeance. He ripped a double over Austin Jackson's head in deep center field, scoring Jorge Posada and Russell Martin to put the Yankees ahead 2-0.

For the second night in a row, the Yankees took a 2-0 lead. It was up to Burnett to keep it.

Burnett did give back one of the runs in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run to Victor Martinez, making it 2-1.

But that was it for the Tigers for the rest of the night. After Martinez's homer, Detroit's offense went to sleep.

Burnett got through the rest of the fifth without any type of implosion, keeping it at 2-1.

Then the Yankees gave Burnett even more confidence as Curtis Granderson ripped an RBI double to make it 3-1 and Alex Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to the outfield to make it 4-1.

Burnett got through the first two batters of the sixth inning before Kelly hit a single, which then lead to Joe Girardi taking Burnett out of the game before he could do anymore damage.

Enter Rafael Soriano to face Jhonny Peralta, who ripped the ball towards left center. Granderson made another inning-saving catch, preventing a possible run from scoring. The Yankees kept the 4-1 lead.

Burnett pitched his tail off to help save the Yankees' season in an elimination game, going 5.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking four and striking out three before leaving with the lead.

Porcello was lifted after the sixth inning, allowing five hits, four runs, one walk and five strikeouts.

After Porcello, the Detroit bullpen was no better and really showed their inexperience and youth in the top of the eighth inning. They allowed seven hits and six runs, including a balk by Al Alburquerque which pushed the score to 10-1 in favor of the Yankees.

Phil Hughes pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Boone Logan pitched a scoreless ninth inning to hold on for the 10-1 victory for the Yankees.

Burnett got his first win of the 2011 postseason while Porcello took the loss. The ALDS is tied at 2-2.

For all the criticism Burnett took in 2011 with an 11-11 record and over 5.00 ERA, for at least one night that is all forgotten. Burnett came up big when the Yankees needed him.

On Tuesday night, Burnett's experience proved to be huge as it got the Yankees a much-needed win. The series will now shift back to the Bronx.

While Burnett was the hero on the mound, Granderson was easily the hero in the field with his game-saving catches in center field.

We've all talked about how Granderson is in contention for the 2011 AL MVP Award, and his efforts in Game 4 only enhanced what kind of value Granderson brings to the Yankees.

Game 4 was a total team effort for the Yankees and they will live to fight another day.

On Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, they will send Ivan Nova back to the mound, hoping that he will repeat his brilliant performance of Game 1. The Tigers will counter with Doug Fister.

The Tigers were probably expecting to knock out Burnett early. When they failed to capitalize on the bases loaded situation, it might have deflated the Tigers early on because their offense wasn't the same.

Detroit has to travel back to New York reeling. They have to try to beat one of the better pitchers for the Yankees.

With Nova pitching on the mound at Yankee Stadium in Game 5, I like the Yankees' chances to beat the Tigers in the ALDS.

The reason the Yankees are even in a Game 5 is because of Burnett. He got the Yankees there because when they needed him most, he reached down and pulled out a great effort for them.

Burnett definitely earned his paycheck Tuesday night and can rest a little easier for one night. Two down, nine to go until No. 28 for Yankees universe.