The New York Yankees (61-43) put up 11 runs in the first three innings Wednesday afternoon and cruised to a 12–3 blowout over second-place Baltimore (55-50). The win snapped the Yankees’ losing streak at a season-high four games.
Phil Hughes (11-8) got the win going six innings while allowing just one run on nine hits and two walks. The righty was able to escape trouble in every inning forcing Baltimore to strand nine runners in his time on the mound. Altogether the Orioles left 11 men on base and were hit-less in 15 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
“He did a good job managing innings today,” said Joe Girardi of Hughes.
Curtis Granderson started the scoring with a first-inning home run, a solo shot to right field, his 29th of the season. After a double, an infield single, and a sacrifice it was 2–0 Yankees heading to the second inning.
After the Orioles managed a run in their top half of the second, the Yankees scored two more in the bottom half of the second including Casey McGehee’s first run as a Yankee.
McGehee, acquired from Pittsburgh for Chad Qualls, walked twice and scored a pair of runs in his debut. “He was patient,” said Girardi. “We believe that he’s going to help us.”
Then in third inning, already sitting on a 4–1 lead, the Yankees opened the floodgates with a seven-run inning, highlighted by a Robinson Cano grand slam. The four-run blast was his 24th home run of the season and was one of two hits on the day for the Yankee second baseman—one of five Yankees with at least two hits as the Bombers built a 10-run lead after just three innings.
“Whenever you can add on I think it’s important because as we’ve seen, Baltimore can score runs,” said Girardi whose team blew a 5-run first inning lead Tuesday in an 11–5 loss.
Zach Britton (1-1) took the loss for Baltimore, surrendering seven runs in two and two-thirds innings. The Orioles used five pitchers in all.
Popular reliever Joba Chamberlain made his season debut Wednesday for the Yankees after Tommy John surgery and ankle surgery wiped out most of his season, coming on in relief of Hughes in the seventh. The hard-throwing right-hander gave up two runs in one and two-thirds innings on four hits, including a welcome-back home run from J.J. Hardy, Joba’s first batter.
“He threw strikes so I was happy with that. I didn’t think he tried to overthrow today and I was happy with that,” said Girardi who added he expects Joba to be more than a specialty reliever for the Yankees and not just one who can get out right-handed batters.
Next up for Girardi and the Yankees are the Seattle Mariners for a three-game set starting Friday with C.C. Sabathia (10-3) set to oppose Kevin Millwood (4-8) on the mound.
