Yankees-Tigers: Phil Hughes Loses Again

Phil Hughes turned in his fourth poor performance of April and another one of Joe Girardi's wacky lineups couldn't produce any offense against a pitcher with a 7 ERA as the Yankees fell 6-4 to the Detroit Tigers Tuesday.

Joba Chamberlain could just sit and watch from the bullpen as Hughes surrendered six runs and 11 base runners in only 3.2 innings pitched to drop his record to 0-4 and raise his earned run average to a ghastly 9.00.  Hughes and Kennedy are now a combined 0-6 as I continue to wonder when the Yankees will insert Joba into the rotation.

Meanwhile, Girardi thought with Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada out of the lineup due to injury, Tuesday's game would be the perfect time to give Melky Cabrera and Jose Molina a rest as well, leaving the Yankees lineup filled with offensive powerhouses such as Chris Stewart, Shelly Duncan and Morgan Ensberg.  No wonder they could only muster two runs in six innings against Kenny Rogers, who entered the game with a 7.66 ERA.

Here are the Yankees grades from the first game of the three game series with Detroit.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (D-)I don't agree with resting a 23-year-old in April, especially if he's seven for his last 22, but if you're going to give Melky Cabrera an off day, shouldn't you wait until at least one of the two injured All-Stars on the team returns to the lineup.  By sitting Cabrera (.289 average, team leading five home runs), Girardi left the Yanks with five guys in their starting lineup hitting below .250. 

It also forced Johnny Damon to play out of position in center field, where he quickly misplayed a Magglio Ordonez's single in the first inning, which led to two runs.  In addition, usual designated hitter Hideki Matsui had to play left field where he misplayed Ivan Rodriguez's double in the eighth.  Sitting Cabrera at this point in the season makes no sense at all.

Johnny Damon, CF: (C-) Damon went 1-4 with a walk and two strike outs, in addition to misplaying that ball in the first inning, although he shouldn't have been there in the first place.

Derek Jeter, SS: (C+) The Captain got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth to drive in a run.  He also went 1-4, struck out and left one man on.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (D-) Abreu is in a bit of a funk that has seen his average drop from .312 to .276 over the past week.  He went 1-5 with a K and left four men on base Tuesday.

Hideki Matsui, LF: (A) It seems like Matsui is the only one on the team immune to hitting woes this season.  Another two-hit night raises his average to .326.

Jason Giambi, DH: (C+) 1-4 with a walk and an RBI.  He also left three men on base, but what else is new?

Shelly Duncan, 1B: (A) A pretty good night for Duncan, who should be starting at first over Giambi every night.  Shelly doubled, walked three times and scored two runs.

Morgan Ensberg, 3B: (D-)Ensberg's now one for his last 13 after going 0-4 with a walk Tuesday.  He also stranded four runners.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (B+) Cano looked like he was trying to break out of his season-long slump in the second inning when he hit a two-run homer off Rogers, but the second baseman couldn't repeat the magic with the game on the line, as he struck out swinging to end the night.

Chris Stewart, C: (F)The Yankees' fourth starting catcher of the month couldn't get the signs straight with Hughes and then proved that it wasn't the pitcher's fault as he continued to get crossed up by reliever Ross Ohlendorf.  Stewart also went 0-3 with a strike out.

Melky Cabrera, PH-CF: (INC) Walked for Stewart in the eighth. 

Jose Molina, C: (INC) Replaced Stewart behind the plate in the ninth and wasn't crossed up once.

Phil Hughes, SP: (F)During the YES broadcast of the game, color commentator Al Leiter noted that only five of Hughes' 82 pitches were sliders or change-ups.  The ex-pitcher said the kid is throwing too many fastballs and curves.  Hey, you know who has four pitches and can use them all effectively?  You guessed it, Joba Chamberlain.

Ross Ohlendorf, RP: (A+) Did an outstanding job holding the Tigers at bay over 3.1 innings during which he allowed just two base runners and struck out five.  Too bad the Yankee bats didn't hold up their end of the bargain.

Eduar Ramirez, RP: (A-) Gave up a hit and struck out one in the eighth.

LaTroy Hawkins, RP: (A-) Ditto for Hawkins in the ninth (minus the strike out). 

Overall Yankees Grade: (D) Irresponsible managing, lifeless hitting and horrible starting pitching.  At least the bullpen did well.