Twins’ Homers Beat Yankees 4-1

Here we go again. Phil Hughes, opponent’s home runs, New York Yankees’ loss. Another almost, as the New York Yankees fell to the Minnesota Twins 4-1 at Yankee Stadium Saturday afternoon.

In all, Hughes served up three homers, but the last two cemented the win for the Twins. With the scored tied at one in the seventh inning Ryan Doumit crushed the first to give Minnesota a one-run lead. An inning later, Pedro Florimon added a two-run drive to push the score to 4-1.

Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Hughes allowed only five hits in 7 1/3 innings, but one of the others was a solo shot by Trevor Plouffe in the second inning. The Twins’ power overshadowed an otherwise solid performance by Hughes, who struck out a career- high ten batters.

The Yankees got off to a strong start by taking the lead in the first inning. Ichiro Suzuki got it started with a double off of Twins’ starter Samuel Deduno. Robinson Cano followed with a single to bring Suzuki home for a 1-0 lead.

But that was all they could muster against Deduno, who allowed six hits in all. The Yankees did mount a threat in the seventh inning, when Travis Hafner doubled. With Eduardo Nunez  pinch running, Deduno got two ground outs to leave Nunez on third base.

Shawn Kelley and Joba Chamberlain pitched the final inning and 2/3 for the Yankees. Chamberlain allowed only a walk in his inning. If there is a silver lining, perhaps Chamberlain can build on this effort to once again become a dependable option in the bullpen.

With the loss, Hughes’ record drops to 4-9 on the season.