Phil Hughes (4-11, 4.99 ERA) hopes to get the sweep for the Bombers against C.J. Wilson (12-6, 3.49 ERA) in a day game in the Bronx. Hughes is coming off his fourth consecutive start of less than six innings. The right hander has struggled since July 23, allowing 17 runs in 16 2/3 innings over four starts. He has struggled immensely all season at home, where he has posted a 6.18 ERA and given up 16 home runs in 12 games. He is 0-4 with a 6.43 ERA over his last six starts overall, and has given up 14 runs on 22 hits in his last 11 innings, spanning three outings. His spot in the rotation, however, seems just fine. “Right now, I don’t know if we have any options,” Joe Girardi said. “So we need him to pitch well. That’s the bottom line.”
Wilson threw 57 pitches in the first two innings his last time out, but he still pitched into the sixth and left with the lead, giving up only two runs despite four walks and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Indians. He limited the Yankees to two runs over seven innings back on June 14 and owns a 2.67 ERA in four career starts at Yankee Stadium. He also is happy to be taking the mound in the Bronx. “I like pitching day games at Yankee Stadium,” Wilson said. “It levels the playing field for me, because I feel like there’s no buildup. You just go straight to the game. I think pitching in Yankee Stadium is kind of intimidating in a lot of ways, because you know there are going to be 45,000 or 50,000 fans there.”
Alfonso Soriano has led the Yankees’ offensive charge over the past two games. He set a career high with six RBIs on Tuesday and topped that with seven on Wednesday, homering twice in both contests, one being a grand slam. In his homecoming, he has seven home runs and 21 RBIs in 17 games.
Notes on the game.
Hughes hasn’t faced the Angels this season but gave up 13 runs over 8 2/3 innings against them last year. He is 3-2 against them in his career.
The Yankees own a 4-2 lead in the season series going into Thursday’s finale.
Ichiro Suzuki has the most plate appearances against Wilson of any hitter and is 9-46 (.196) with two doubles, one RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts. He is just six hits away from 4000 career (between his Japanese League and MLB numbers.)
Robinson Cano is just one homerun away from 200 in his career.
First pitch at 1:05 PM on Yes.
