PHIL HUGHES BRINGS IT AGAINST WHITE SOX; YANKS WIN 4-2

In front of a packed Yankee stadium and in front of dozens of Yankee legends, Phil Hughes delivered a huge performance to give the Yankees a 4-2 win and a split against the White Sox in the final game of this four game series.  Hughes was spectacular.  Coming off eight scoreless innings in his previous start, Hughes gave up two quick runs in the first inning but then settled in to hold the White Sox to just three more hits over his final seven innings.  Hughes final line:  8.0 IP -- 6 Hits -- 2 Runs -- 1 BB -- 8 K's.  Rafael Soriano closed out Chicago in the 9th for his 18th Save of the season.  Soriano is now 18 out 19 in save opportunities.  Can anyone say ALL STAR?

(Cano celebrates with Nick Swisher after hitting his game tying two-run homer in the 3rd inning)

On the offensive side the Yankees did what they have done all year, live by the long ball.  Eric Chavez hit his his 6th of the year in the bottom of the 2nd and AL All Star Robinson Cano hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the 3rd against White Sox starter Gavin Floyd.  In fact, both Cano and Chavez knocked in all four runs for the Yankees, knocking in 2 a piece.  It just cannot be said enough how important Cano is to this Yankee team.  He is really beginning to carry this offense on his back and its awesome to watch.  Cano now has seven home runs in his last 11 games and entered Sunday hitting .367 in 13 games since June 17.  And how about Eric Chavez?  When healthy, Chavez is arguably one of the best 3rd baseman in the game; and he's a backup!  He sure doesn't play like a backup.  I think Joe Girardi has to continue to find a way to keep Chavez in the lineup a few times a week.

(Yankee legends Whitey Ford & Yogi Berra being introduced before Yankee Old Timer's Day today)

Overall it was a very special day at the Stadium.  Watching legends like Whitey Ford & Yogi Berra on the field still gives me goose bumps.  And watching guys like Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Paul O'Neill taking their cuts at the plate brings back amazing memories for me.  God I love my New York Yankees!

GAME NOTES:

• Before the game Robinson Can was voted to his 4th All Star game.  Along with Cano, Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and CC Sabathia earnined spots on the American League roster for the July 10 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
• The was the Yankess' 66th-Old-Timer's Day.
• The Yankees have now hit 124 home runs this season, the most in the Major Leagues.
• Joe Girardi said Sabathia should begin playing catch next week.
• Mariano Rivera (torn knee ligament) was on the field before the Old-Timers' game in shorts. He was wearing a light brace and said he felt good.

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


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