Tempers flare as Yankees settle for DH split with Tigers

Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton enraged, then issues payback in a Yankees’ Game 2 loss in Detroit.

DETROIT — It looked for a moment Monday night as if the Yankees and Detroit Tigers might do some more fighting 10 months after their three bench-clearing brawls last August at Comerica Park.

Hit in the left forearm with a pitch in Game 2 of a day-night doubleheader, Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton became furious about being drilled by the same guy that broke bones in his face with a pitch in September 2014.

How Clint Frazier earned recall

This time, Stanton stared down Tigers righty Mike Fiers, then yelled “get it over the plate” as he walked slowly to first, leading catcher James McCann to step in front of the slugger.

Fiers countered by holding out his arms and yelling he didn’t do it on purpose.

Stanton got a some revenge his next time out by hitting a 456-foot homer to left off Fiers his next time up that was accompanied with a bat flip.

The rest of the Yankees’ night included a lot of frustration as their five-game winning streak ended with a 4-2 loss in Game 2.

The Yankees won the opener 7-4 behind ace Luis Severino, who went eight strong and struck out 10 in improving his AL-best record to 9-1.

Stanton was still upset after the game.

“o matter how many years it is (being hit in the face) … you’re not going to be happy,” he said. “I’m not going to just walk to first and everything is going to be OK. But it is what it is.”

The Yankees got a nice effort in Game 2 from rookie right-hander Domingo German, who pitched better than his line of four runs in a career-high 6 2/3 innings.

German (0-4) was let down by his defense in the sixth inning when Detroit broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run uprising.

With a run in, the Tigers were gifted another on a two-out popfly to shallow left by Jeirmer Candelario that was scored a double but dropped by third baseman Miguel Andujar, who perhaps should have been called off by left fielder Clint Frazier.

“It’s a little bit in no man’s land, but it’s one of those that if we communicate really well … I think that’s a play we can and should make,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Stanton’s leadoff homer in the sixth, his 13th, made it a one-run game. The Yankees loaded the bases later in the inning, but remained down a run when Brett Gardner ended the threat with a flyball to center.

The Tigers added an insurance run in the seventh when Adam Warren, who was activated from the disabled list between games, replaced German after Miguel Cabrera hit a two-out double and then gave up a ribbie double to the first batter he faced, Victor Martinez.

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge had a terrible first game and a worst second, as he was 0 for 4 with four strikeouts and a walk in Game 1, then 0 for 5 with a career-high five Ks in Game 2.

“A terrible day,” Judge said. “That’s the beauty of baseball. I get to wake up and it’s fresh new at-bats. Just get ready for (Tuesday). That’s the only thing you can do.”

NOTABLE

— Frazier was optioned back to Triple-A after the game. He was called up as the Yanks’ 26th man for the doubleheader. Starting both games in left field, he was 1 for 4 with an RBI single in Game 1and 1 for 2 in Game 2.

— First baseman Tyler Austin ended an 0-for-20 stretch with a line single in the sixth inning of Game 2. He struck out in the eighth to finish 1 for 4 with two Ks.

— Rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres made his first career start at shortstop in Game 2 and handled the one grounder coming his way with ease.

— Warren’s return from the DL led to reliever Tommy Kahnle being optioned to Triple-A.

— Both clubs wore No. 42 jerseys in Game 2 due to their April 15 Jackie Robinson Day at Comerica Park being rained out.

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday: Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., YES Network. LHP CC Sabathia (2-1, 3.73) vs. RHP Marco Estrada (2-6, 5.68).

Wednesday: Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., YES Network & MLB Network (out of market). RHP Sonny Gray (4-4, 5.50) vs. RHP Sam Gaviglio (2-1, 3.32).

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.