Winning pitcher - Phil Hughes (2-2)
Losing pitcher - Jeremy Guthrie (3-4)
SV - Mariano Rivera (8)
Phil Hughes made the start for the Yankees tonight in the Bronx, and threw a decent five innings holding the Orioles to three runs on six hits, while striking out a career high nine and walking just one. He made two big mistakes that led to all three runs; in the fourth he allowed a two-run homer to Ty Wigginton, and in the fifth he gave up another bomb to Adam Jones. Besides those two mistakes he looked very sharp. His stuff was very good, and he had good command of all his pitches. His fastball had good velocity and was sitting at 92-94 mph most of the night. You'd like to see him go further in the game, 89 pitches (57 strikes) is too much for just five innings. Deep counts and nine strike outs are also to blame for his blown up pitch count. It wasn't a great start, but it was better than his last outing against the O's (1.2 IP, 8 H, 8 ER), and it was good enough for his second win of the year.
He was able to pick up that win because the Yankees offense was able to put five runs on the board in the first three innings. In the bottom of the first Johnny Damon walked with one out and then scored on a Mark Teixeira RBI double deep into the left center field gap.
They would add three more in the bottom of the second on back-to-back-to-back homers by Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, and Melky Cabrera. Swisher's homer was his first homer at the new stadium. Cano added an RBI single in the bottom of the third and the Yanks had a 5-0 lead. It was the first time since Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui did it against Tampa Bay on June 21, 2005. With the three home runs the Yankees now lead major league baseball with 64 homers.
It was great to see Alfredo Aceves get the call before Jose Veras again. He rewarded Joe Girardi the wise decision with two scoreless innings. He continues to pound the zone, throwing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. Phil Coke was next out of the pen and allowed a leadoff single off his arm, but then retired the two tough lefties in the O's lineup, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff, before being taken out of the game.
Mariano Rivera came out for a four-out save and got the final out of the eighth when he got Melvin Mora to ground into a force. He eventually came out and got the final three outs, but not before the Yankees offense put up a six spot in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away. The big blow of the inning was a two-run double by Derek Jeter. It was the second game in a row that the Yankees were able to put a game away with a big late-inning rally, but part of that is because the O's bullpen is terrible. It was also the third game that they've been able to bat around in an inning.
The Yankees have now won 10 of 12 and eight in a row, and are a season high six games over .500. The eight-game winning streak matches their longest winning streak last year.
They will go for the sweep tomorrow night against the O's. Joba Chamberlain will go for his third win of the year, and Adam Eaton gets the start for Baltimore.
He was able to pick up that win because the Yankees offense was able to put five runs on the board in the first three innings. In the bottom of the first Johnny Damon walked with one out and then scored on a Mark Teixeira RBI double deep into the left center field gap.
They would add three more in the bottom of the second on back-to-back-to-back homers by Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, and Melky Cabrera. Swisher's homer was his first homer at the new stadium. Cano added an RBI single in the bottom of the third and the Yanks had a 5-0 lead. It was the first time since Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui did it against Tampa Bay on June 21, 2005. With the three home runs the Yankees now lead major league baseball with 64 homers.
It was great to see Alfredo Aceves get the call before Jose Veras again. He rewarded Joe Girardi the wise decision with two scoreless innings. He continues to pound the zone, throwing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. Phil Coke was next out of the pen and allowed a leadoff single off his arm, but then retired the two tough lefties in the O's lineup, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff, before being taken out of the game.
Mariano Rivera came out for a four-out save and got the final out of the eighth when he got Melvin Mora to ground into a force. He eventually came out and got the final three outs, but not before the Yankees offense put up a six spot in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away. The big blow of the inning was a two-run double by Derek Jeter. It was the second game in a row that the Yankees were able to put a game away with a big late-inning rally, but part of that is because the O's bullpen is terrible. It was also the third game that they've been able to bat around in an inning.
The Yankees have now won 10 of 12 and eight in a row, and are a season high six games over .500. The eight-game winning streak matches their longest winning streak last year.
They will go for the sweep tomorrow night against the O's. Joba Chamberlain will go for his third win of the year, and Adam Eaton gets the start for Baltimore.
What did you think of Hughes' performance?
| AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG | |
| Jeter, SS | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .273 |
| Damon, LF | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .318 |
| Teixeira, 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .241 |
| Rodriguez, A, 3B | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .189 |
| Berroa, 3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| Matsui, DH | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .252 |
| 1-Pena, PR-DH | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .263 |
| Swisher, RF | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .234 |
| Cano, 2B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .307 |
| Cabrera, M, CF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .321 |
| Cash, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .077 |
| Totals | 31 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 7 | |
1-Ran for Matsui in the 8th. | ||||||||
BATTING 2B: Teixeira (8, Guthrie), Jeter (8, Walker). HR: Swisher (9, 2nd inning off Guthrie, 0 on, 0 out), Cano (7, 2nd inning off Guthrie, 0 on, 0 out), Cabrera, M (5, 2nd inning off Guthrie, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Jeter 2; Teixeira 2; Matsui; Swisher 4; Cano 6; Cabrera, M 5. RBI: Teixeira (31), Swisher (23), Cano 3 (22), Cabrera, M 2 (16), Cash (1), Jeter 2 (19). 2-out RBI: Cano; Jeter 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M. SF: Cash. GIDP: Matsui; Rodriguez, A. Team RISP: 4-for-7. Team LOB: 4. FIELDING Outfield assists: Damon (Mora at 2nd base). DP: (Cash-Jeter-Teixeira). | ||||||||
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
| Hughes, P (W, 2-2) | 5.0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 7.06 |
| Aceves, A (H, 1) | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1.74 |
| Coke (H, 2) | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.58 |
| Rivera (S, 8) | 1.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3.06 |
ORIOLES STATS
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Robinson Cano (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)
HONORABLE MENTION: Phil Hughes (W, 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K - career high)
Yankees vs. Orioles
Game Time: 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: MY9, WCBS 880
Joba Chamberlain RHP (2-1, 3.76 ERA) vs. Adam Eaton (2-4, 7.93 ERA)
Game Time: 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: MY9, WCBS 880
Joba Chamberlain RHP (2-1, 3.76 ERA) vs. Adam Eaton (2-4, 7.93 ERA)
9 Comments:
Nice work by the bullpen. Aceves and Coke pitched 2.2 scoreless when the game was close.
Also Aceves looks like Hughes personal long man.
I agree about Veras. I was so relieved when he didn't get the call. At this point I'd only use him in blowouts.
Veras is La Fregona. (Spanish for "The Mop")
When you see the box score, what's shocking is that they scored 11 runs with the first 6 in the order having 4 hits!
Anyway, another great win, Hughes pitched OK, good for him and Yankees.
A-Rod was 0-for, some "A-Fraud" coming?
Go Bombers.
It was a decent outing by Phil. One he can build confidence from. Better teams would not have swung at a few bad pitches like the O's did, but he made some good strikeout pitches. Gotta remember what Al Leiter said last September about Kennedy and Hughes: they are very young and it takes a while for young pitchers to find consistency & get good. Patience is the key. Take it from Leiter !
I thought that was a 'plus' start for Hughes. 89 pitches in 5 innings, only two 'bad pitches', struck out 9, walked only one, what's not to like? Baltimore does have a few really good hitters in that lineup.
My son reminded me last night that he is exactly one year and a day younger than Hughes, making me feel old. It also reminded me of just how young Hughes is, and why we must not expect 'the moon & stars' from him. What we are getting from him is just enough. When Wang returns (soon) Hughes will go back to SWB & get to about 200 quality innings this season, something he badly needs.
I always say you're never as good or bad as you look in a streak... but boy, do the Yankees look unbeatable right now. That'll change of course, but that said, I think that now with the injured players returning we Yankees fans are going to start having a lot more fun.
When Nady and Posada return in the lineup, hot hitting Melky becomes the #9 hitter ! I think we are seeing a maturing Melky as well, which is good !
He looked good, I liked the extra velocity. It was a good audition for the bullpen work he should see in the near future...
I agree with Anon 100% on Melky maturing. Melky is also still very young, just 24. I like how he's been playing this season a whole lot. Somebody knocked some sense into him. He's had hitting success, but it's how he's approached his at-bats that I like. He's not lunging, showing patience, good plate coverage. Him hitting as he is as a #9 hitter with Jorgie back makes this Yankees lineup a VERY strong lineup.
I don't want to forget Gardner either. Gardner is getting better, slowly but surely. The way Melky has been playing though, I am thinking that unless Melky tanks during this season and Nady can't return, that 2010 may become Gardner's big chance.
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