Yankees at Blue Jays
The goal for New York starter Phil Hughes is to keep the ball in the
park when the Yankees face Toronto in the finale of a two-game series.
The Blue Jays blasted four long balls in an 8-1 home victory over the
Yankees in the series opener and are tied for fourth in the majors with
48 homers. Opposing offenses going deep against the Yankees is nothing
new: New York pitchers have surrendered 47 homers, second-most in the
majors.
New York mustered only three hits in the series opener.
Shortstop Derek Jeter got the night off Wednesday, the first game the
37-year-old has missed this season. Jeter is third in the majors in
batting average at .366. Toronto can move past the Yankees into third
place in the American League East with a victory.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), SNET (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: New York RH Phil Hughes (3-4, 5.50 ERA) vs. Toronto RH Drew Hutchison (2-1, 5.53)
After
a difficult early season, Hughes has posted consecutive quality starts.
Saturday against Seattle, Hughes gave up only one run on six hits in 7
2/3 innings, throwing 70 of his 112 pitches for strikes. Hutchison won
for the first time since his big-league debut April 21 in his last
start, holding Minnesota to three hits and one run in six innings
Saturday. He walked a season-high four hitters but lowered his ERA from
6.65 to 5.53.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie received a
four-game suspension for slamming his helmet in the direction of home
plate umpire Bill Miller Tuesday. Lawrie, who will appeal the
suspension, also was fined an undisclosed amount.
2. Hughes
recorded two outs in the eighth inning in his last start, only the third
time since the start of 2010 the right-hander has retired a hitter in
the eighth inning.
3. At the start of play Wednesday, Jeter led the majors in hits with 56.