The Yankees played home run derby today as they topped the Royals in the final game of this four-game set, 10-4. Robbie Cano delivered a much needed grand slam while A-Rod and Swisher also homered for the Bombers. While the offensive fireworks were nice, Phil Hughes was the story of this game.

Yankee fans have been very, very critical of Mr. Hughes this season. Coming into this game, Hughes dropped four of his first five decisions and carried an ERA over seven. But today, Hughes gave the Bombers 6 2/3 innings of hard work. He threw 116 pitches, issuing one walk while striking out seven. More importantly, Hughes’ velocity was sitting around 95 MPH for the entire game. Hughes’ absent velocity has been a cause for concern, but today’s outing is hopefully a sign of things to come.

I don’t get too caught up over wins and losses for pitchers, but strong, quality starts are encouraging. With his next three starts coming against the Mariners, Blue Jays, and Royals, look for Hughes to build off of this one and forget about his ugly April.

After an impressive 18-win season in 2010, Phil Hughes took a mulligan in 2011.

During Spring Training last season, Hughes was unable to break 90 MPH. The Yankees placed Hughes on the DL with an undisclosed injury. After he came back, Hughes posted a pedestrian 5-5 record in only 14 starts. Hughes’ 5.79 ERA and 1.49 WHIP were unsightly, but after a rocky start to the year, the Yankees weren’t expecting much.

Going into the 2012 season, Hughes is one of the X-Factors for the Yankees. He is currently in a ‘competition’ with Freddy Garcia for the fifth stater’s job, but the job is as good as his. Cashman has coined Hughes as a ‘top of the rotation’ starter–and many fans view him that way. Top of the rotation starters don’t get put into the bullpen.

With all of the attention focused on Michael Pineda’s arm, David Robertson’s foot, and A-Rod’s knee, Hughes has flown under the Yankee radar. Not many 26-year-old pitchers with Hughes’ pedigree do. And that’s definitely not a bad thing.

I’ve been waiting for this day to come. The day when the Yankees FINALLY got the better of the self-proclaimed King Felix Hernandez. Hernandez gave up six earned runs (two HRs) on nine hits in six innings. Teix and Chris Dickerson (yes, the same Chris Dickerson that doesn’t have a John Sterling HR Call) homered off the King. Isn’t life grand, Seattle? 

With the win, the Yankee record improves to 89-57. The Yankees are four games ahead of the Red Sox in the loss column. Their magic number sits at nine. 

Atta Boy Teix--AP Photo

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Well, it only took the Yankees, Orioles, and Mother Nature seven hours to decide who would win the second game of these three game set. After an initial three-hour rain delay, these two teams engaged in seesaw affair. The Yankees would come out on top after Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli homered in the seventh. With the win, the Bombers move to 87-53 on the season. They also carry a six-game winning streak into tomorrow afternoon’s game.

As for the rest of the game, Phil Hughes got the start and performed pretty well, given the crappy conditions. Hughesy tossed six-innings of two run ball, but did not factor into the decision. Hughes needs to continually prove that he can give the Yankees quality starts each time out.

What’s Next? The Yankees will go for the three-game sweep tomorrow afternoon!

1:05 PM: Zach Britton (9-9, 4.22 ERA) vs. AJ Burnett (9-11, 5.23 ERA)

The New York Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins tonight by a final score of 8-1. Phil Hughes dominated (more on that below) as he could suddenly be the leader in the clubhouse to start Game #2 of the ALDS for the Yankees. With the win, the Yanks move to 76-47 on the season.

AP

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The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 9-2 this afternoon. Phil Hughes successfully got the Yankees through the first six innings with a little help from the offense, specifically Jorge Posada (see more below) With the win, the Yankees fall to 72-46 on the season.

Thank You - AP

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‘Rain, Rain, Go Away’ wasn’t uttered by too many in the visitor’s dugout tonight as the Bombers won a six-inning, rain-shortened game, 6-0. Phil Hughes threw all six innings, giving up only three hits while striking out four. His velocity stayed in the mid-90s for the entire game, which was encouraging to see. It was easily his best start of the year.

Mark launched two Teix Messages (his 30th, 31st) while Russell Martin added his 11th for good measure. The Grandy Man officially joined the 20-20 club, swiping his 20th bag of the year. A 30-30 season is not out of the question.

Fun Fact:

Mark Teixeira has hit 30 home runs in eight straight seasons! Talk about consistency and it’s only August 2nd!

If this dreary weather continues into tomorrow night, we’ll be saying ‘Rain, Rain, Go Away!’

The game, which will hopefully be played, can be seen nationally on ESPN, ok.

Wednesday, 7:10 PM: AJ Burnett (8-9, 4.23 ERA) vs. Gavin Floyd (9-9, 3.96 ERA)

It was bound to happen. The Yankees three-game winning streak came to an end this afternoon. (Haha). THE SEATTLE MARINERS HAVE WON A GAME! For the first time in 18 games, the Seattle Mariners won a baseball game. Led by their ace ‘King’ Felix, the Mariners used a five-run seventh to blow by the Yanks, 9-2. Phil Hughes gave the Yanks six innings of two-run ball, but gave up nine hits to a lackluster M’s offense. With the loss, the Yankees fall to 61-41.

Won't See Him In Pinstripes..

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The New York Yankees simply destroyed the Oakland Athletics tonight by a score of 17-7. Tonight’s game was long, sloppy, hot, humid, and just an uneventful time after the Yanks put up a nine-spot in the third inning. Phil Hughes couldn’t finish five innings so Hector Noesi picked up the victory. With the win, the Yankees move to 58-39.

Fist Pumps for the GS - Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

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After racking up 18 big ones last season, Phil Hughes recorded his first win of 2011 today. Hughes gave the Yanks a quality start, tossing six innings of two run ball as the Yankees came away victorious, 7-2. Brett Gardner continued his hot hitting, recording three hits and three runs. With the win, the Yankees improve to 55-37 and currently sit one game behind the Boston Red Sox.

Yep, It Was A Hot One

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