It wasn't a tremendous performance numbers wise for Phil Hughes, but he did pitch better than what the final numbers presented. For sure, his performance wasn't for the sabermetric crowd!

Staked to an early 5-0 lead, Hughes pitched effectively for 5 innings, allowing three runs - with all three runs coming on two homers. While only at 89 pitchers, I thought Hughes should have gone out for the sixth inning, but was pulled for Alfredo Aceves. Although his ERA tonight was 5.40, Hughes pitched ahead in the count most of the night and struck out nine Orioles hitters.

He was popping his fastball and snapping his curve.

Nice comeback for Hughes after the brutal start he had against the Orioles last time.

Yanks are now 3-2 in Hughes' five starts, but once Wang returns, Hughes is likely to go back down to Triple A.

That will be a mistake. Hughes needs to continue pitching in the Bronx as he is going to be a set part of the rotation next season, because both Wang and Andy Pettitte are not going to be with the Yankees next season.

If Wang was going to be part of the Yankees long term plans, they would have already signed him on a four or five year deal. If Damaso Marte can get three years from the Yanks, why can't Wang get the same love? 

Yanks are not going to sign him for $10-12 million next year (which is what he will get in arbitration), but will let him go via trade.

Yanks have so many good, young starters and that begins with Hughes. Both he and Aceves will be part of the 2010 Yankee rotation.

I always think about what Peyton Manning said about his first two years as starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. Manning said that his first year wasn't so good as he was thrown to the wolves in the NFL as a rookie, but that his second season was great because he was allowed to play his first season and learn on the job. His exact quote was: "there's no way I could have played as well as I did in my second year if I hadn't played that first year."

Hughes needs to get that same chance.