We hit the quarter pole with the Yanks at a surprising 25-15 considering all the injuries.
The bad news is the loss tonight, a 12-2 pasting by Seattle, and it was led by our old buddy, Raul Ibanez.
Phil Hughes is an enigma. When good, he can be very good. When bad, he can be horrendous. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Tonight he was very, very bad.
He only lasted 2/3 of an inning, giving up 7 R (a grand slam to Raul), 6 H, 2 walks and 0 K. He falls to 2-3, 5.88.
His first two starts this year were not good. That could be written off because he missed a lot of spring training due to a bulging disc in his back. He then rattled off four good outings in which his ERA in those outings was 1.93. Now two bad outings.
You don’t know what you’ll get. That is his problem. He must be more consistent. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The last pitcher I used that on was … A.J. Burnett. Hughes is like Burnett right now. You don’t know which one—good or bad—will show up.
From the LOHUD blog:
In his first two and his last two – the starts when he’s struggled — he’s had a combined ERA of 14.17 with seven strikeouts. In his middle four starts, he’s had a combined ERA of 1.93 with 30 strikeouts.
Preston Claiborne continued his impressive beginning of his MLB career with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. His ERA is still 0.00.
Brett Marshall then made his MLB debut, and unfortunately for him, it was a forgettable one. With the Yanks down by a bunch, he kind of “took one for the team.” He went 5 2/3, 5 R, 9 H, 5 walks and 1 K. He gave up 2 dingers.
The last out was recorded by SS Alberto Gonzalez, who faced one batter and got a flyout. He recorded just one less out than Hughes.
I hope Hughes was watching Monday when Phelps and Nuno did well. For if he continues the inconsistency, then he must know there are others ready to step in. I’ve defended Hughes, but there is no defense for tonight. He was awful. It’s the kind of performance that makes you wonder if he is disguising an injury. If not, there is no need to panic yet. But eight starts into the season, an ERA of 5.88 isn’t anywhere near good enough.
Before the game, David Adams was activated from AAA, and he played 3B, his first MLB game. Recently acquired 3B Chris Nelson was DFA’d. Adams went 1 for 4.
The Yanks got their runs from HR by Vernon Wells (10) and Chris Stewart (3).
It’s funny. Wells, who the Angels couldn’t wait to dump (salary) after two subpar years for them, has more HR combined than Pujols & Hamilton.
