DETROIT, Oct 6 - Veteran lefthander Kenny Rogers guided Detroit to a 6-0 win over the New York Yankees on Friday, bringing the Tigers to the brink of a shock victory in their American League divisional playoff series.

The 41-year-old Rogers frustrated the Yankees with a combination of fastballs, curves and off-speed pitches, allowing just five hits and blanking the AL's most explosive offense through almost eight innings.

Former Yankee Rogers had entered the game with an 0-3 playoff record and an 8.85 ERA in nine previous playoff appearances.

"I wanted this game as much as any game in my life," he said after the game.

The Tigers put together a string of timely hits, including a seventh-inning solo home run by Curtis Granderson.

Yankees left-hander Randy Johnson took the loss.

It was the first playoff game in Detroit since 1987, and the Tigers now have the chance to finish off the series at home on Saturday.

New York right-hander Jaret Wright (11-7, 4.49 ERA) will take the mount against Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman (14-8, 4.08 ERA).

The winner will face the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship starting on Tuesday.