Angels hit Phil Hughes Hard, beat Yankees 7-1

The Los Angeles Angels (3-5) shut down the Yankees (4-4) in the second game of the home opening series in the Bronx Saturday afternoon. Yankees starter Phil Hughes did not look sharp against the Angels lineup earning his second loss in as many starts this season. He struggled through 3 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits. The Angels got on the board in the second inning when Chris Ianetta hit a two-run homer to right, his first of the season. Albert Pujols followed in the third inning with a RBI double. Finally Howie Kendrick knocked Hughes out of the game in the fourth with his first home run of the year, a three-run blast to left-center.

Angels starter C.J. Wilson, the top pitcher in this past offseason’s free-agency, shut the Yankees down.  He pitched six strong innings, only allowing one run on six hits. The Angels bullpen completed the job, throwing three scoreless innings. The Yankees lone run came in the fifth inning, with two men on and one out, Robinson Cano laced an RBI single to left, his first RBI of the year. The Yankees offense has gotten off to a slow start however, Derek Jeter continues to hit the ball well with another multi-hit game today.

Yankees rookie reliever David Phelps who came on in the fourth inning in relief of Hughes, looked excellent in extended duty. He pitched 5 1/3 innings only giving up one hit and one run. That was a solo home run to Vernon Wells in the fifth.

The Yankees and Angels will wrap up the series Sunday night.  The Yankees will start Ivan Nova (1-0, 2.57), the Angels will start Jerome Williams (0-0, 0.00). Pregame begins at 7:30, first pitch at 8:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.