BOSTON — Phil Hughes’ last performance was rotten and immediately raised questions about him being the odd man out when Yankees manager Joe Girardi goes from six to five starting pitchers following tomorrow night’s game.
And because Hughes’ awareness on issues is very high, he said worrying about what decision Girardi makes isn’t dominating his thought process going into tonight’s start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
“It’s easy, I go out and pitch and not think about anything else,” Hughes said of blocking out the hottest topic in the Yankees’ universe other than Alex Rodriguez’s bothersome thumb.
CC Sabathia, last night’s starter, Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia are assured spots in Girardi’s September rotation. That leaves A.J. Burnett, tomorrow night’s chucker, Bartolo Colon and Hughes competing for two spots.
Nova pitches Friday and Colon on Saturday. Girardi didn’t say for sure Garcia would work Sunday, though Girardi explained Monday night Garcia was going to make his next start after allowing the Orioles a run and two hits in six innings at Camden Yards Monday in a 3-2 victory.
Hughes had won three of four and two in a row before getting punished by the A’s last Thursday for six runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings in a game the Yankees rallied to win, 22-9.
“I didn’t pitch well,” said Hughes, who is 4-4 with a 4.46 ERA in 12 games (11 starts). “Now I have the opportunity to make a good start in a very big series for us.”
After last night’s 5-2 Yankees victory, the Bombers trail the Red Sox by a half-game in the AL East.
While Girardi referenced Hughes’ strong outing against the Red Sox late last September at Yankee Stadium (one run, three hits over six innings), the Red Sox spanked Hughes on April 8 at Fenway in his second outing of the season.
“I didn’t have good stuff at the beginning of the year,” said Hughes, who went on the disabled list seven days later with a dead arm that was later diagnosed as right shoulder inflammation.
Between Hughes, Burnett and Colon, Hughes has the most relief experience. And he excelled in the pen during the 2009 World Series winning season. Still, the Yankees firmly believe he can return to the starter who won 18 games a year ago.
And while Girardi didn’t tip his hand, he wouldn’t downplay what tonight means.
“I think it’s important to bounce back after his last start for him and remain on track throwing the ball well,” Girardi said. “When you are going in the right direction you don’t want to have a couple of setbacks.”