MLB

Yankees pitcher Hughes will try to stay on fast track

ARLINGTON, Texas — When Phil Hughes was among baseballs top minor league prospects it was because his fastball and curveball were plus pitches.

Later as a big leaguer, the Yankees right-hander added a change-up and cutter. Though those pitches were used last year when Hughes’ arm strength dipped and he was shelved with a strained right shoulder, he has made a conscious effort to return to the days when he carried the fastball later into games.

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“My velocity is good and hopefully I can keep it going,’’ said Hughes, who has pushed the speed guns to 93-94 mph. “The second and third time through the lineup you need something else, but at the same time I like to work the fastball a lot and try to that as long as I can.’’

Hughes (1-2, 6.75 ERA) makes his fourth start tonight against the muscular Rangers at Rangers Ballpark looking to build on his third — and best outing of the season — last week against the Twins at Yankee Stadium.

The numbers weren’t fantastic but only two of the six runs he allowed in 5¹/₃ innings were earned thanks to a throwing error by Eduardo Nunez.

“The first inning was a disaster,’’ said Hughes of the frame when the Twins scored four unearned runs. “I was happy with the way I bounced back.I have to keep an aggressive mindset and go from there. I hope I have a good fastball going.’’

Hughes is 2-0 in three regular-season games (two starts) against the Rangers and has allowed three hits in 15¹/₃ scoreless innings. Nevertheless, the Rangers spanked him twice in the 2010 ALCS.

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Following the Yankees’ 2-0 loss to the Rangers Tuesday night, manager Joe Girardi said Freddy Garcia will start Saturday against the Tigers, CC Sabathia will start Sunday, and the Yankees will fall back into rotation of Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova.

Girardi had been toying with using Sabathia Saturday on regular four days’ rest but decided to pitch the struggling Garcia, who didn’t get out of the second inning last Saturday in Boston.

“I am not sure I want Freddy to have too much time off,’’ Girardi said before the game.

Garcia is 0-1 with a hefty 9.75 ERA in three starts and has allowed 20 hits in 12 innings.

“Each start has been somewhat different,’’ Girardi said. “The last start he didn’t have the arm strength we are used to seeing and he hasn’t located his pitches.’’

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Andy Pettitte pitches for Double-A Trenton tonight in New Jersey when he will approach the 85-to-90 pitch arena.

“I am curious to see how he throws,’’ said Girardi, who could be making room in the rotation for the veteran left-hander after another minor league outing.

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Derek Jeter (2-for-4) upped his hitting streak to 14 games, the longest active streak in the AL. … The Yankees were blanked in Texas for the first time since Aug. 16, 2000. … Yu Darvish’s 8¹/₃ shutout innings were the longest by a Texas pitcher against the Yankees since Bob Tewksbury blanked them July 7, 1995.