DETROIT – Curtis Granderson hit a grand slam against his former team in the second inning, and CC Sabathia made the lead hold up after a shaky start, helping the Yankees to a 9-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Alex Rodriguez added a two-run homer in the ninth for New York.

It was tied at 1 when Granderson cleared the bases with a drive just inside the pole in right field off left-hander Casey Crosby (0-1), who was making his major league debut.

Sabathia (7-2) allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings. New York used five relievers. Rafael Soriano came on with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth. He got Miguel Cabrera to ground into a double play for his seventh save.