At home of hero -- Mariano Rivera -- Hughes posts best start of career
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NEW YORK – Right-hander Gabriel Hughes didn’t hold back when asked how he felt about pitching at Yankee Stadium during the Rockies’ 5-3 loss on Tuesday night. He was nervous, and as he put it, “That’s an understatement.”
Why was Hughes nervous? It’s Yankee Stadium, one of the best-known ballparks in all of baseball. It’s also the same field where his hero, Mariano Rivera, became known as the best closer in baseball history.
“Yankee Stadium speaks for itself,” Hughes said after his 12th Major League appearance and 11th start.
Hughes ended up controlling his nerves and had his best start as a Major Leaguer, throwing five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out six. The rookie loved the fact that he didn’t walk any batters.
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“Gabe was excellent tonight. He pounded the zone,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “His stuff was sharp. The spin was good. The curveball, sweeper and slider were all good. ... It was very impressive.”
The first run Hughes allowed was unearned, and that came in the first frame. Two errors – one fielding, one throwing – by left fielder Jake McCarthy on Luis García Jr.’s single allowed Cody Bellinger to score from first. Hughes retired 10 of the next 11 hitters he faced. Even more impressively, Aaron Judge, playing in his first game since May 31, went 0-for-2 against Hughes, including a strikeout in the first.
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“The crowd is going crazy. I’m not making a big deal about it, knowing we had a plan before the game. If I stick to the plan, I’m going to get myself a good chance,” Hughes said.
“I fell behind [Judge] in the first at-bat before coming back. Then he hits a fly ball to center field, and the crowd goes nuts. I was glad to see Cole [Carrigg] get under it.”
After retiring Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the fifth, Hughes allowed a single to George Lombard Jr. and an RBI double to Ryan McMahon. Schaeffer still had confidence in Hughes to complete the inning, and he was able to retire the last two hitters that he faced, finishing with a strikeout of Ben Rice.
“I ended up allowing a double to McMahon. I ended up extending the inning on myself, but I’m glad I got that last out because it’s good to end the inning on a strikeout,” Hughes said.