Hughes Win

I don't know if there are any must win games in June, but with a three-game losing streak and a non-existent offense of late, the Yankees really needed to win this one, and they did.

Phil Hughes got off to a shaky start, giving up a leadoff home run to Jose Reyes and later in the third he walked the number nine hitter and gave up another home run to Reyes, but after that settled down. Hughes was able to go seven strong innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four to earn his tenth win of the season, which ties David Price for the AL-lead in wins. Anytime the Yankees have taken a lead this season with Hughes on the mound, he has held it.

The Yankees offense finally came alive today. Down 1-0 early, they were able to manufacture a run to tie it up. Then they were down 3-1 in the third, and Mark Teixeira hit a home run which may have been the turning point of the game to tie it up at 3. Mike Pelfrey, who had given up four home runs all year and had not relinquished a lead in any of his starts, was tagged for his second home run of the game in the fourth when Curtis Granderson hit the go-ahead two run home run to give the Yankees a 5-3 lead.

Finally to the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain came in during the eighth, and although I'd have liked to see Hughes go out for one more, Chamberlain got the job done and retired the final batter on a strikeout. And Mo was Mo and had an easy 1-2-3 ninth to seal the win.

So all-around a great day and a good win for the Yankees today. They beat a good pitcher and they're going to have to do it again tomorrow when Johan Santana takes the mound against them. Jim and I will be in attendence at the game and will make a post on our experience.

See Ya!

(We've probably used that title before, but it just works).

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Game 43: Yankees at Mets

Is it me or was this game supposed to be earlier today?

Lineups

Yankees
Jeter SS
Gardner CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cervelli C
Winn LF

Mets
Reyes SS
Castillo 2B
Bay LF
Davis 1B
Wright 3B
Pagan CF
Barajas C
Francoeur RF

Young Aces: Phil Hughes and Mike Pelfrey are both having terrific seasons and are both still very, very young. Hughes is 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA while Pelfrey is 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA.
Phil at the Plate: Phil Hughes will be making his NL ballpark debut, meaning he will hit for the first time. He said he was only able to hit fastballs in high school, so hopefully Pelfrey doesn't know that.
Battered Bombers: Javier Vazquez was hit on his pinky during an attempted bunt last night to be the latest victim of the injury bug. He believes he will make his next start (which I don't know how many days will be). Alfredo Aceves will be throwing in Tampa tomorrow and Marcus Thames should be available to pinch-hit.

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