In a pivotal, must win game for the Yanks, Phil Hughes (4-13, 5.11 ERA) is on the mound for some reason taking on Wei-Yin Chen (7-7, 3.82 ERA.) Hughes did not win back his spot in the Yankees rotation. He did not dazzle in relief. He did nothing to earn a start. David Huff gave the spot away with a dreadful outing last Saturday. Joe Girardi decided on Wednesday that one start from Huff, who yielded nine runs to Boston over the weekend, was enough.
“We just have to win games,” Hughes said. “There’s no underlying stories there. I’m just trying to help us out, throw the ball as well as I can and do the best job that I can. I’m excited for that. I’m not really worried about redemption or proving anybody wrong or stuff like that. I’m just trying to throw as many quality innings as I can.”
Chen pitched well last Saturday against the White Sox but got a no decision. He gave up two runs on six hits in six innings striking out eight without a walk.
A month ago, the Bombers sat seven games back of the second Wild Card spot in the American League, and they seemed destined for a quiet September. But they have dramatically stormed back and now sit alone trailing only the Rays, having passed the other three challengers for that coveted final AL playoff spot. However, they are going to have to try and pull off their remarkable Wild Card comeback without the captain. Derek Jeter, who has struggled to recover from a fractured left ankle, was shut down for the year on Wednesday. It marks his fourth stint on the disabled list this season. “The entire year has been pretty much a nightmare for me, physically,” Jeter said. “I guess this is kind of fitting that it ends like this.”
Notes on the game.
In eight lifetime at bats against Chen, Brett Gardner has five hits, including two doubles and a home run.
Mariano Rivera and Jim Johnson are among the seven pitchers in Major League history to record at least 94 saves in a two season span.
First pitch at 7:05 PM on Yes.
