Yankees RHP Phil Hughes leaves ALCS Game 3 vs Tigers with stiff back in 4th inning
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Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes left Game 3 of the AL championship series against Detroit in the fourth inning with a stiff back.
The New York starter allowed a solo homer by Delmon Young and a walk to Andy Dirks in the fourth, and then he was pulled with an 0-2 count on Jhonny Peralta.
Rookie David Phelps came on in relief. Phelps was given all the time he needed to warm up.
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Hughes looked sharp through the first three innings Tuesday night, matching Tigers ace Justin Verlander in a scoreless duel. Detroit took a 1-0 lead on Young's homer to left field. The Tigers were leading 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Hughes threw 61 pitches. He allowed a run and three hits in three-plus innings. He walked three and struck out one.
The right-hander dealt with back problems last year, when an MRI found inflammation caused by a herniated disk, an injury from seven years earlier.