Hughes rolls in Yankee victory

The Yankees, behind four hitless innings from Phil Hughes, snapped their four-game losing streak Sunday with a 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Hughes walked two batters and struck out one. He threw 57 pitches for 35 strikes and has not allowed a basehit in five spring innings.

The Twins were held hitless until the seventh inning, when Tommy Watkins hit a single off Alan Horne.

Jose Molina hit a two-run double to start the Yankees scoring in the second inning. Morgan Ensberg hit an RBI double in the fifth inning. Chris Woodward, battling for a backup infield spot, went 2-3 and is batting .529 (9-17) this spring. Shelley Duncan went 1-1 with two walks.

Hideki Matsui made his spring debut at designated hitter, going 0-3.

Kei Igawa started the fifth inning and walked the bases loaded. He was able to escape without allowing a run and then pitched a scoreless sixth inning. He has settled down since his awful performance against the University of South Florida, but the control issues are just as disheartening.

Touted prospect Horne gave up a hit and walked two in his inning of work, but wasn't scored upon. The runs came off of Jeff Marquez and Chase Wright (two runs, one earned apiece).

On the injury front, catcher Francisco Cervelli will miss 8-10 weeks with a broken wrist stemming from yesterday's collision at the plate.

The Yankees return to Tampa tomorrow night to face the Cincinnati Reds at 7:15 p.m. Joba Chamberlain gets the nod for New York, facing Homer Bailey.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)