WHAT THE PHIL? HUGHES STRUGGLED TODAY

I have always said that if your pitching allows enough runs to score, it's an uphill battle for your team to get back into the game.  It's simple thinking... and I'm right. Now look, teams have come back from large deficits, but it's still tricky to dig out, that's the bottom line.  That being said, the Yankees could in fact have won today, but 2 things happened. 1 Phil Hughes struggled and 2, Jason Hammel was good.  That's it.

Hughes was booed today. Booed.  3 innings pitched, he allowed 9 hits and 5 runs, 5 earned and gave up 3 homers.  Fans are fed up with Hughes, me included and probably Yankee brass included too.  Look, I understand what it takes to get to the majors. I understand what it takes to stay in the majors and I also understand that Yankee brass and fans alike wanted this kid to be the Golden Boy since he was touted as being the next Roger Clemens (read HERE) but it ain't happening. Do I like Hughes? Yes... but it's clear, that if Hughes doesn't have the season of his life, the Yankees will turn the other way at the end of the year. Time is running out.

The Yankees scored 3 runs today.  Hammel was pretty damn good for the O's. Travis Hafner and Vernon Wells each had solo shots.  Look, looking at the big picture, the Yankees have filled the void of the missing power of Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson, that is clear. They are doing their job. You have to be happy about that.

The other run came when Lyle Overbay singled on a fly ball to Adam Jones. Francisco Cervelli then scored.

2 runs short and I guess the only thing you can say about today is... you can't win them all, even though you want to.

The strangest part of the game? Robinson Cano played shortstop and Francisco Cervelli played 2B in the 9th inning.  When asked about it... Cano's response was simple (Read HERE)... "Weird." The last time Cano played second was in Double-A ball in 2003. He's never played on the Major league level.

Final today: Orioles 5 - Yankees 3.

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