Game 40 - Streak Reaches 8

Phil Hughes looked like a man who had nothing to lose tonight and the Yanks look like a team that refuses to lose again.  Hughes reared back and let it rip, striking out 9 Orioles in five innings of work, relying mostly on his fastball that had great movement up in the zone.  And a majority of his strikeouts didn't come against the weaker part of Baltimore's lineup, either.  At one point, he struck out Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff 6 straight times before Jones connected for a solo shot in the 5th.  He followed Jones HR by striking out Markakis for the third time.  

Hughes, who is rumored to be heading down to Scranton upon Chien-Ming Wang's return, certainly gave the Yankees and their fans a glimmer of the talent we've been hearing about since he was drafted #1 in 2004.  I think if Wang doesn't return to form in his next few starts off the DL, the Yanks should seriously consider moving him to the bullpen and return Hughes to the big club and rotation.    

The Yanks offense led 5-0 after 3 innings, with Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera providing the fireworks with back-to-back-to-back HRs against Oriole pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie.  The Orioles got as close as 5-3 after five innings, but Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke and Mariano Rivera closed the door.  The Yanks would erupt for 6 more runs in the bottom of the 8th to go up 11-3 before Mo gave up a homer to rookie Nolan Reimold in the 9th, making the final score 11-4.  Mo earned his 8th save of the season when he entered in the 8th with 2 out and 1 on and the game was still 5-3.  The HR he gave up was the 5th he's surrendered this year - he gave up 4 all of last year and the season before that, too.  This new stadium is a bandbox!  5 more HRs in a game for the 8th team this season.

Other notes:  Big Sloppy finally connects for his first dinger in 149 at bats.  Maybe he should retire while he's on top.  Varitek hit 2 HRs tonight - does anyone know his pharmacist?  In a battle of small market teams (code for cheap ass owners), the A's defeated Tampa for the second straight game.  Tampa's Scott Kazmir has an ERA over 7.00.  Old Yankee, Jason Giambi, is on the interstate at .198.  Damn Dodgers are now 8-6 while their Mannyless.    

Yankees Record:  23-17