HUGHES TOSSES 1ST CAREER 9-INNING COMPLETE GAME; YANKS BEAT TIGERS 5-1

With Justin Verlander on the mound for the Tigers today all signs pointed toward another series lose for the Yankees.  Thankfully, Phil Hughes had other ideas and so did the Yankees offense.  Hughes took to the hill and did an amazing imitation of Justin Verlander.  Hughes pitched a complete game against Detroit only giving up one run on just four hits while striking out seven as the Yankees beat Detroit 5-1.  It was the first 9 inning complete game of Hughes' career.  He was just incredible today...just absolutely dominant.   Hughes looked more like the 2011 Justin Verlander than Verlander did himself today.  Speaking of Verlander...

(Jeter rounding the bases after hitting his 27th career leadoff HR this afternoon)

The Yankee bats struck early today against Verlander and it looked like it took him right out of his rhythm.  Derek Jeter led off the game with a solo shot and Mark Teixeira hit a sacrafice fly later in the inning to give the Yanks an early 2-0 lead.  It was all they needed today with the way Hughes was pitching but they did add on three more runs.  In the 3rd, Arod connected on an absolute A-bomb that made the score 3-0.  And then in the 5th, Robinson Cano tripled to deep right which knocked in Curtis Granderson and Cano scored the Yankees 5th and final run on a throwing error by second baseman Danny Worth.

(Phil Hughes pitches first career 9-inning complete game)

Overall, the Yankees had 10 hits; which included two homeruns, a pair of doubles and a triple.  The Yankees where once again awful with runners in scoring position (1-11) but thankfully today the long ball helped us out. And to their credit, they did get to Verlander early and took advantage of some terrible Detroit defense.  Plus, Hughes was lights out so the Yankees offense did what they had to do.  End result...Yankees take two-out-of-three in Detroit and wrapped up this nine game roadtrip with a very respectable 6-3 record.

Other game notes:

• Derek Jeter's leadoff homerun was his 27th leadoff HR as a Yankee, which puts him 3 ahead of Ricky Henderson.
• Jeter also scored his 1,799 run of his career which ties him with Ted Williams on the all-time list.
• ARod had a solid day at the plate.  Going 2-4 which an RBI and his 9th HR of the season.
• Verlander has now lost three straight starts for the first time since 2008

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23


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