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Yankees Game 110: Hughes struggles in West Coast finale

Phil Hughes struggled, going just 2.2 innings, in today’s loss to the Padres. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

New York Yankees 3 — San Diego Padres 6

 

Early struggles are enough in today’s 6-3 loss to the San Diego Padres to end this five-game West coast trip in the National League.

The starters of today were both hyped prospects of the Yankees farm. Neither have really fulfilled expectations as Ian Kennedy, acquired by the Padres at the trade deadline, makes his first start with his new team against a friend, Phil Hughes.

Phil Hughes is a fly ball pitcher so the spacious dimensions of Petco Park should benefit him. They did in one way but didn’t in another.

In the second inning, Will Venable started the inning with a single that dropped in front of center fielder Curtis Granderson. He would advance by stealing second and a single put runners on the corners with no outs. Mark Kotsay would hit a productive out to center field as it was deep enough to score the fist run of the game. Nick Hundley would walk and Ian Kennedy moved the runners over with a sacrifice. Everth Cabrera would single home two more runs but would end the inning when he was caught stealing.

The third inning started with a single to center field through the infield. Chase Headley would walk and they both advanced on a ground out to the right side of the infield. The Yankees decided to intentionally walk Will Venable and take on Chris Denorfia with the bases loaded so they can get a force out at every base as well as the potential for a double play. Neither of these would happen. Chris Denorfia would hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field. Mark Kotsay would single in a run as well and that would be the end of Hughes’ start.

In just 2.2 innings, Phil Hughes allowed five runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout. It took 71 pitches for Hughes to do that.

After finishing off the third inning, Preston Claiborne also pitched in the fourth inning. Chase Headley would single home a run in the fourth inning and that would be enough for the Padres and Ian Kennedy. But the Yankees put up some fight.

In the sixth inning, the Yankees would get two outs before they started a rally. Robinson Cano and Alfonso Soriano walk and Curtis Granderson would single home the first run of the game for the Yankees. Lyle Overbay would follow with a single to bring home another run and knock Ian Kennedy out of the game.

A first for Yankees’ catcher Austin Romine would come in the seventh inning. The 24-year-old Romine would hit his first major league home run to left center field. The solo home run did little to the score but for Austin Romine, it was a milestone that he got to achieve with family in attendance.

The Yankees would not be able to make up the deficit and lost the three-game series to the Padres.

A familiar theme of Phil Hughes besides the fly balls is also the inability to get the last strike. He would start many batters with two strikes but the last strike would elude him. Pitches would be fouled off or taken for a ball. Many 3-2 counts develop from an 0-2 start to an at-bat.

 

Win – Ian Kennedy (4-8)

Loss – Phil Hughes (4-10)

Save – Huston Street (21)

 

Notables

Yankees

*Austin Romine – 2 for 3, R, BB, Solo Home Run (1) in the 7th, RBI (6)

*Curtis Granderson – 1 for 1, 3 BB, RBI (4)

Padres

*Everth Cabrera – 2 for 5, R, 2B, 2 RBI (31)

*Mark Kotsay – 1 for 1, BB, 2 RBI (10)

 

Current Yankees Record: 57-53

 

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