Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Angels ended the New York Yankees‘ home winning streak on Thursday afternoon with a 8-4 win. The shaky Phil Hughes took the mound against C.J. Wilson and with the Yankees on a bit of a hot streak, there was definitely a feeling in the air that Hughes could pitch the Yankees to a loss.
He did just that. Hughes went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He gave up a home run to former Yankees third baseman Chris Nelson in the top of the fourth to allow the lead. The home run thing has been an immense problem for Hughes and the Yankees. His ERA is 4.97, and all hope with him still being a starter should be completely gone.
There is no reason for Hughes to be a starter or in the Yankees’ bullpen. Hughes has now lost five straight decisions, and has not made it past the sixth inning since July 13 in a loss to the Minnesota Twins. Manager Joe Girardi needs to find someone else to take Hughes’ place. He is becoming a liability in the rotation as the Yankees are trying to climb the AL Wild Card ladder.
A change needs to be made immediately. Waiting for Michael Pineda to come back from Tommy John surgery over a year ago is like watching paint dry. The next possible option for the Yankees is to recall left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno. Since his short stint with the Yankees, he has settled down at Scranton, posting a 2.85 ERA.
Hughes is not the pitcher he once was, and maybe getting his mechanics retooled is something that has to happen.
Ryan Gaydos is a MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
