AP
Another perfect game for the Yankees.
The franchise that has thrown them the most often recorded another one today, albeit a rain-shortened, five-inning gem. Phil Hughes and three relievers combined to stop the Blue Jays 2-0.
âIt wasnât the World Series, though,â kidded Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, a Yankees spring training instructor. Berra caught Don Larsenâs perfect game in the 1956 World Series. David Cone and David Wells pitched them for the Yankees in the late 1990s â current manager Joe Girardi was on the Yankees for those two games.
âItâs great,â Girardi said.
Hughes worked the first inning, then made one pitch in the second before the game was delayed by rain for an hour. The right-hander later threw two simulated innings in a batting cage.
âI got done what I needed,â Hughes said. âI was happy with it.â
Scott Patterson pitched the second and Kei Igawa took over for the next two innings. Billy Traber struck out the side in the fifth.
Girardi was most pleased that Igawa, who allowed a grand slam against South Florida last Friday, struck out two in a strong performance.
âOutstanding,â Girardi said. âI think itâs important for him. Everybody wants encouraging outings.â
Igawa threw 13 of 18 pitches for strikes.
âThis time I was concentrating on throwing strikes,â Igawa said through a translator.
Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan hit run-scoring singles for the Yankees. Duncan has eight RBIs in three games.
Almost all of the regulars were replaced when the game resumed after the delay. It rained for most of the afternoon.