Game 20 - Hughes Stops Losing Streak

Phil Hughes was handed a position in the starting rotation last season, and performed terribly, going 0-4 with an E.R.A. over 6 while spending most of the season on the DL.  However, this year, with the signings of CC and AJ and the fifth spot going to Joba, Hughes found himself the odd man out and no longer the phenom Yankee fans have been hearing about for years. 

What most people forget about Hughes is his age.  He is only 22 years old, younger than Joba, and turning 23 in June.   For 6 innings tonight, he was everything the Yankees needed and more.  He held the Tigers to no runs on 2 hits, 2 walks, and 6 Ks in the Yanks 11-o victory.  Believe it or not, there was a period where I thought this beautiful effort by Hughes was going to be wasted, as Detroit pitcher, Edwin Jackson, matched Hughes for 6 frames.  It looked like the Bombers were going into a complete funk, scoring 1 run Sunday, 2 yesterday and 0 through 6 today.  In the 7th, the Yanks' hitters woke up, putting a 10 spot on the board.  Jose Molina delivered the big blow with a grand slam that capped off the inning.  That gives Molina 5 RBIs on the season.  Will he match last year's total of 18?  The race is on. 

But Hughes was the story, working ahead of the hitters and busting them inside with his cutter all night.  He made Placido Polanco, one of the toughest batters to strike out in MLB, buckle his knees on a beautiful curveball, sending him back to the bench.   Hopefully, this start will be a stepping stone to a great future for this young hurler.  The Yanks need some positive news and for Hughes to stay off the DL.

Yankee Bomber Doghouse:  I'd like to put Jorge Posada on this list, but I'll wait to see how the rest of the season develops.  Molina started again tonight because Jorge is nursing a sore hamstring.  But has anyone noticed Yankee pitchers hurling better games the last 2 nights?  When Molina starts, Yanks are 5-3 and have only given up 25 runs in those games.  Hmmm....interesting.  As for tonight's ball game, Teixeira was the only Yankee to go hitless, so he makes the list.  Although I normally won't put players who can't get a run in with runners in scoring position and 2 out, I have to put Melky in the doghouse, even if he went 2-3 with 2 walks.  What has this guy done to anger the baseball gods so badly?  Last season, he hit .208 with RISP, this year, he's 1-13!  Terrible!  He's an automatic out.  And he also forgets how to make contact in those situations.  He's an utter cancer in that lineup.  Edwar Ramirez enters the doghouse, too, for walking a man with a 10-run lead.  Inexcusable.  Not only that - why?

Yanks Record:  A mediocre 10-10

Other Baseball Notes:  Mets still can't beat Florida.  They have to pitch Santana and pray for 4 days of rain.  They're going nowhere this year.  Everybody's hero, Grady Sizemore, is hitting a whopping .256.  Let's stop the slurping.  Looks like King Felix Hernandez might be for real this year and live up to his hype.  I remember watching him mow down the Red Sox for a one-hitter last year.  That was a good day.  He's also very young and will probably only get better.  Big Sloppy, still looking for that first HR.   Looks like my buddy John's favorite player is back - Julio Lugo.  Enjoy Johnny.  I hope the Sox streak ends because of him.  That Brad Penny looks like a good signing with that 8.66 E.R.A. of his.  Time for the Sox to bring up Buchholz.