Hughes Solid in Yanks 10-4 Win Over Royals

The Yankees (15-13) were finally able to put together a solid offensive performance on Sunday afternoon and Phil Hughes pitched great in the 10-3 victory over the Royals (9-18). After looking sloppy and dropping two of the first three games in Kansas City in a series that saw them lose Mariano Rivera for the season and saw their bats disappear the Yankees ended up salvaging the short road trip splitting it two games apiece. Phil Hughes went 6 2/3 innings gave up three runs on six hits and struck out seven en route to his second win of the season.  Royal’s starter Luke Hochevar got shelled by the Yanks. Hochevar only last 2 1/3 gave up seven runs on seven hits.

In the second inning the Yankees got on the board thanks to a Raul Ibanez RBI single. In the third inning the Yankees would really get to Hochevar and blow the game open. Dwayne Wise and Derek Jeter led off the inning with back to back singles which led to a Curtis Granderson RBI single; A-Rod was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Robinson Cano then sent them all home with a Grand Slam. It was only the second home run of the season for Cano and only put him at eight RBIs so far, hopefully that blast will turn the star second basemen’s season around. Later in the third Nick Swisher would knock Hochevar out of the game with a solo shot, his seventh home run of the season. It was Swishers first day back in the lineup after missing the previous six games due to a tweaked left hamstring.

Alex Rodriguez would add to the Yankee lead in the eighth inning with a three-run home run off Royals reliever Tommy Hottvy. It was A-Rods fifth of the year.

Kansas City Royals rookie Irving Falu had two base hits in his major league debut including a triple in his first ever at bat. Royals catcher Humberto Quintero hit a solo home run off of Phil Hughes in the seventh inning, Quintero’s first of the year.

The Yankees have Monday off and will play again on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ivan Nova (3-1 5.58) will start for the Yankees; James Shields (5-0 3.05) is scheduled to go for the Rays. Pregame begins at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.