Streaking Yankees beat Mets behind Hughes, Teixeira

The New York Yankees are putting together a nice run and the Subway Series against the New York Mets just happens to be a stop along the way. Phil Hughes pitched 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball and Mark Teixeira blasted a two-run homer as the Yankees ensured a series victory with a 4-2 over the Mets at Yankee Stadium.

Hughes was coming off an impressive complete game one-run victory over the Detroit Tigers. He was not as dominant in this one, but he was plenty good enough. Hughes struck out six batters and allowed six hits and a two walks. Although he gave up two more home runs, extending his streak of allowing home runs to each of his first 12 starts of the season, they were of the solo variety and did not damage the team’s chances to win. Hughes is well aware of the issue.

"I’m a fly ball pitcher so it’s going to happen. I’d like to blame it on the ballpark but those are pretty much going out anywhere. Thankfully they were solo homers and I was able to get some outs with guys on base and stay away from the big inning. – Hughes via LoHud Yankees Blog"

Hughes has now won five of his last seven starts and remove a dreadful outing in Anaheim and he’s looked very good over that stretch. If he can limit the home runs down the road, which won’t be easy pitching in Yankee Stadium, Hughes has a good chance of putting in a successful season.

The Yankees (33-25) got on the board in the bottom of the first inning as Derek Jeter broke a 0-for-17 slide with a single. He moved to second on a balk by Mets starter Dillon Gee. With one out, Alex Rodriguez singled driving in Jeter who scored his 1,800 run, moving him ahead of Ted Williams on the list. It was A-Rod’s 1,917th RBI of his career moving him into a tie with Eddie Murray, for seventh on the all-time list.

Hughes allowed a solo homer to Omar Quintanilla in the top half of the third knotting the score at one. The game stayed a tie until Mets third baseman David Wright hit his first home run during the Subway Series since 2008. The solo shot gave the Mets (32-28) their first lead in this year’s edition of the Series.

The Yankees would answer right back. Curtis Granderson drew a lead off walk and moved to second after a fly ball by Rodriguez. Granderson went to third on a ground out by Robinson Cano. Teixeira stepped to the plate a pulled a line drive into the right field seats putting the Yankees back on top. Granderson would add a solo homer in the bottom half of the eighth giving closer Rafael Soriano a little more breathing room in the ninth.

Soriano, who has been successful in 100% of his save chances, walked Ike Davis to start the inning. Soriano was visibly upset with the strike zone, but didn’t let it get to him. He got Jason Bay to fly out and Josh Thole to ground out. Quintanilla kept the Mets’ hopes alive with single moving Davis to third, but Soriano got Jordany Valdespin to fly out to end the game.

The Yankees’ victory was their 12th in their last 16 games. They are now a season-high 8 games over .500 and remain one-half game back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

The Yankees send Andy Pettitte (3-2, 2.78 ERA) to the hill this afternoon in the series finale looking to give the Yanks the sweep. The Mets hope Jonathon Niese (4-2, 4.11 ERA) can stop the bleeding as the Mets have now lost five of their last six games.