The New York Yankees finished off their three-game set at Fenway with a series-clinching win over the Red Sox on Thursday night. Phil Hughes was impressive on the mound for New York, pitching into the eighth inning and striking out seven. He gave up no runs and allowed just five hits as he kept the Yanks in it against Felix Doubront, who battled wildness, but managed to avoid a big inning. The performance by Hughes was crucial after the Baltimore Orioles walked off a winner against the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in the evening. The win keeps New York tied atop the AL East with the O's.
In addition to Hughes, Derek Jeter came through for the Yankees, providing a nice insurance RBI in the seventh on a hit that would put him No. 10 on the all-time MLB hits list with Willie Mays. Jeter singled up the middle to score Steve Pearce and push the Yankee lead to 2-0. The first Yankee run would cross in the fourth on an Andruw Jones sacrifice fly that scored Alex Rodriguez. That early score would prove to be the game-winner with Hughes dealing on the mound.
With the final series of the season at Fenway wrapped up, the Yankees now return home for a weekend against the Rays. Game 1 on Friday night will feature a battle of aces as CC Sabathia takes the hill for Joe Girardi and David Price pitches for Tampa. The Rays will be desperate after getting swept in Baltimore, which put them four games back in the AL East and the Wild Card.
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