05/02: NYY 10, TEX 1: Hamstring Injury Ends Phil's No-Hit Bid (Welcome Back Bobby)
Posted by: Jason
For his second major league start, Phil Hughes faced a dangerous Texas lineup that is currently second in the American League in home runs (30). Most importantly, his start began a crucial May stretch for the Yankees in which they have the opportunity to climb back in to the division race.
If he felt any pressure, he didn't show it. His demeanor on the mound was stoic. He fits in perfectly to the Yankees' culture of professionalism. Oh, right, the pitching: A 90-94mph well-controlled fastball, straight changeup (I thought he was still working on the change?) and a silly curveball. Silly, that is, to watch Texas batters harmlessly flail away at it.
Hughes was masterful, the embodiment of Jim Kaat's maxim: "Show me inside, outside, up, down and a 10 mph change of speed, and I'll show you a 20 game winner." Every Rangers hitter was guessing, and poorly. You probably remember Phil's K (looking) of 1B Teixeira with that 80 mph pitch (a change, I think) that started in and tailed back to the inside corner. The look on Teixeira's face was a preview for the rest of the AL.
Unfortunately, the "hamstring monster" that has stalked the Yankees this year decided to bite the young pitcher in the 7th. According the latest, he's out 4-6 weeks. Until mid-June, we will console ourselves with memories of tonight's evidence: Phil Hughes is for real.
The offense? Much healthier, thanks to Kameron Loe's non-sinking sinker. The game was decided in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th with multiple Yankees in on the action. Alex, Jorge and Robinson combined for 10 hits. Melky and Hideki had key early RBIs.
I don't think I mentioned that the Yankees quickly gained one game in the standings after some rookie heroics from Travis Buck at Fenway Park last evening...Does Billy Beane actually require players to have a wild haircut and facial hair to play for Oakland?
It's fantastic to see Bobby Murcer in the YES booth. Welcome back.
Wednesday night, it's "The Lefty" against Robinson Tejeda.
If he felt any pressure, he didn't show it. His demeanor on the mound was stoic. He fits in perfectly to the Yankees' culture of professionalism. Oh, right, the pitching: A 90-94mph well-controlled fastball, straight changeup (I thought he was still working on the change?) and a silly curveball. Silly, that is, to watch Texas batters harmlessly flail away at it.
Hughes was masterful, the embodiment of Jim Kaat's maxim: "Show me inside, outside, up, down and a 10 mph change of speed, and I'll show you a 20 game winner." Every Rangers hitter was guessing, and poorly. You probably remember Phil's K (looking) of 1B Teixeira with that 80 mph pitch (a change, I think) that started in and tailed back to the inside corner. The look on Teixeira's face was a preview for the rest of the AL.
Unfortunately, the "hamstring monster" that has stalked the Yankees this year decided to bite the young pitcher in the 7th. According the latest, he's out 4-6 weeks. Until mid-June, we will console ourselves with memories of tonight's evidence: Phil Hughes is for real.
The offense? Much healthier, thanks to Kameron Loe's non-sinking sinker. The game was decided in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th with multiple Yankees in on the action. Alex, Jorge and Robinson combined for 10 hits. Melky and Hideki had key early RBIs.
I don't think I mentioned that the Yankees quickly gained one game in the standings after some rookie heroics from Travis Buck at Fenway Park last evening...Does Billy Beane actually require players to have a wild haircut and facial hair to play for Oakland?
It's fantastic to see Bobby Murcer in the YES booth. Welcome back.
Wednesday night, it's "The Lefty" against Robinson Tejeda.
