Game 13 Wrap-Up: NYY 7 MIN 6

(Job well done, gentlemen.  Courtesy of The AP)

Phil Hughes had to be feeling the heat coming into his 3rd start last night, whether he wanted to admit it or not.  It wasn't a great performance by him, but it was better than his first 2, and it was enough to get the Yankees a win they needed to leave home with a 2-2 series.

Game Notes:

- Things certainly didn't look great early for Hughes, who gave up 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning.  Eduardo Nunez and his inability to make the most basic of baseball plays had something to do with that, but Hughes gave up a pair of 2-run scoring hits with 2 outs, a calling card of his, and the Yanks were down 4-0 before they even came to bat.

- Like the other night, the Yankee offense made like The Empire and struck back in the top of the 1st thanks to a pair of homers from Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira.  They followed that up with 3 more runs in the 2nd and never looked back.

- If you had Curtis playing in your fantasy baseball league last night, you're a happy camper this morning.  He hit 3 HR on the night, giving him a team-leading 6 for the year, and becoming the first name in the new Yankee Stadium record book to accomplish the feat.

- Hughes settled down after the first inning and worked through the 5th without allowing a run and only 2 baserunners.  His fastball command was pretty good and his curveball was as good as it's looked since ST.  He gave up a HR in the top of the 6th to end his night, but overall it was a step in the right direction.

- The bullpen trinity of SoRoMo preserved the win with 3 scoreless innings.

- At some point soon, Joe might want to scrap the shift on defense.  I haven't seen or read about the Yankees successfully pulling it off yet.  Stop trying to be Joe Maddon and just play your guys where they usually play.


F*ck Yeahs:

- Granderson: 5-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI.  A night like this at the plate speaks for itself.  You just stand up and applaud.

- Teixeira: 2-4, HR, 1 R, 2 RBI.  On the same day that I tell everybody to chill about his early lack of power, Teix goes yard.  I like to think my post inspired him.

Oh Nos:

- Russell Martin: 0-3, 1 BB, 3 LOB.  Were it not for his walks, he'd be showing up here a lot more.  Dude has done absolutely nothing at the plate this year.

Next Up:

It's time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of FAHCKIN' FENWAY PAAAAAHHHHHHK!!!!!  The first Yanks-Sawx series of the 2012 season starts tonight in Bahhston.  Ivan Nova, arguably the best starting pitcher in the Yankee rotation so far, starts things off against Clay Buchholz this afternoon.