Yanks take series from Halos

Behind a solid start from Phil Hughes, the Yanks beat the Angels (just like in the ALCS, hiyooooo) 6-2 Thursday on Jackie Robinson Day. The team has not lost a series all year (3-0) and improved its overall record to 6-3.

The team went 2-for-13 with RISP and left nine men on base but still managed to finagle the win. Once Tex (among others) starts hitting like he’s capable of this team is going to be scary. They might rival the ’98 yanks for most wins. Speaking of Tex, he is now hitting .091/.302/.121 with four RBI on the year. Yikes. Although he did draw three walks Thursday and has 10 BB to 9 K on the year…which is something, I guess.

Hughes was pretty good, going five-plus innings and giving up two runs on three hits while fanning six and walking five batters. He looked untouchable early with incredible location, but as the game wore on he let up…which will happen to a 23 year old making his first start of the season. Phil threw 108 pitches (including 28 in the third inning) with 66 going for strikes. I’ll take it.

"My stuff was good early. I felt almost a little too strong, fastball was a little erratic at some points. Overall I felt like my stuff was good and I made some good pitches when I had to."

D-Rob had a much better outing than his last and Marte almost shit the bed before Joba came in to mop up his mess. Joba had a great outing but got screwed by Jeter in an effort to notch his second career save. Imagine if Joba saved a game for Hughes, how weird would that have been? Had Captain fielded a two-out grounder up the middle from Aybar in the ninth Joba would have gotten the save, but instead Mo came in and recorded a four-pitch, one-out, BS save — his fourth of the season.

Jeter (2-for-5) and Cano (2-for-4) have now hit safely in every game this season, with both going yard Thursday —  Robbie twice (NoMaas has done it yet again). Cano has a five-game extra-base hitting streak and also made a sliding play to rob Kendry Morales of a base hit in the second inning. He now has 4 homers in 40 at-bats this season, and more extra-base hits than singles. Take it away Hughes:

"He’s (Cano) unbelievable. Especially against a pretty tough lefty tonite…when he’s on he’s really on and it makes pitching a whole lot easier."

Girardi on Robbie:

"He’s a good hitter. He had a good year for us and he’s had a lot of good years since he’s been here. He’s seeing the ball well, he’s getting his pitch and he’s not missing it."

Grandy had a pair of triples (including one off a Kazmir — a lefty!!!!) for his fifth career two-triple game and also had an awesome throw from center to throw out Matsui at the plate. Girardi:

"He’s gotten off to a really great start for us. We talk about the transition of coming to New York, he’s made it very smoothly…he’s helped us win a lot of games."

Matsui went 2-for-2 with two walks and a homer, courtesy of a Michael Kay jinx, snapping his 0-for-9 slump in the series. I hate to root for negative things to happen to the Yanks, but I’m glad Matsui finally had a good game. He was such a solid player for seven years, was always business-like and never caused controversy; how can you hate the man? Plus, I’ll never forget him apologizing for breaking his wrist. A class act he is.

Bad News: according to Bryan Hoch CHoP injured his right hamstring while warming up in the bullpen Thursday and will be reevaluated Friday. If the Diarrhea Kid is forced to the DL, Melancon or Boone Logan could get the call up.

Other News: Young Hova is suing David Ortiz for stealing his 40/40 moniker for a nightclub in Santo Domingo. It seems to be raining shit on Big Papi: priceless. You can’t make this stuff up.

Next  Victim: The Rangers come to town for a three game set, with CJ Wilson facing off against CC on Friday in the opener.