The Phil Phranchise Era - Part III

CC Sabathia pitched his first complete game for the Yanks last night but it wasn't enough. Justin Verlander was just plain nasty and the Yanks couldn't touch him. Two runs in the ninth against the Tigers closer wasn't enough as the Yanks lost 4-2.

The Yanks have now lost 4 straight and are back under .500. But I liked what I saw from CC last night. He didn't walk anyone and struck out 7, while going the distance. He was pitching okay thru 3 but wasn't really dominant. Then it seemed to click for him in the bottom of the 4th when he struck out Ordonez, Cabrera & Guillen - the heart of the Tigers' order. That was a glimpse of the CC we paid 160 Million for. He got into trouble in the 6th but even then he really didn't pitch that bad. The pitch Ordonez homered on was outside but Ordonez is so strong...he was able to muscle it just over the wall in right. Actually, it hit the top of the wall but it counts either way. If we can get this kind of performance from CC every time out, he will definitely earn his money.

The other positive was that Robinson Cano had 2 more hits and and hit the ball hard 1 other time. On this date last year he was hitting .153/.217/.214 with 1 HR and 5 RBI. This year he is at .380/.419/.633 with 5 HR & 15 RBI. He is the Yankees MVP for the month of April. Hope he continues to hit well all year.

Tonight, Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees. The plan was to leave Phil in AAA for most of the year to build up his innings and polish his stuff. But, due to the injury (read: ineptitude) of Chien Ming Wang, Phil has been summoned to take his spot in the rotation. Phil has pitched well in AAA so far this year. He has been working on a cutter & a change since we last saw him in the big leagues. Hopefully, he will pitch well and stay up here with the big club. But if Wang can get his confidence & effectiveness back, the Yanks will probably send Hughes back down for more seasoning in the minors.

It will, however, be interesting if Hughes dazzles. Let's say he has 3 starts with numbers like this: 18 innings, 14 hits, 6 ER, 6 BB, 16 SO. What do you do? Wang has to go back in the rotation. He can't be sent to the minors and he serves no purpose out of the bullpen. And what if Joba falters in his next 2 or 3 starts? The "Joba to the bullpen" people are already growing restless. They will outright riot if Joba struggles, Hughes pitches well and the bullpen continues to under perform.

On a side note, Ramiro Pena played an excellent 3rd base last night. That was to be expected since he is known for having a great glove. But he also chipped in with 2 hits. That's all I need to see. He should be the every day 3rd baseman until ARod comes back. And even then, he should stay as the utility infielder. I look forward to Angel Berroa's release once ARod returns.