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Jeter in form, Hughes looking to rebound for Yankees

Apr 18, 2008 - 12:30 PM NY Yankees (9-8) at Baltimore (9-7) 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) - Derek Jeter's left quadriceps appears to be just fine.

Jeter tries to get the New York Yankees back on track when they open a 10-game road trip against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

The Yankees' captain, Jeter missed six games after straining his left quad against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 7. Since his return on Monday, the 33-year-old shortstop is 8-for-17 and drove in a pair of runs and scored another during Thursday's 7-5 loss to the rival Boston Red Sox.

New York will need Jeter's red-hot bat if starter Phil Hughes (0-2, 9.00 ERA) continues to struggle.

Hughes lasted just two innings on Sunday, surrendering seven runs - six earned - and six hits while walking three and striking out three as the Yankees suffered an 8-5 loss to the Red Sox.

However, if Hughes can limit the Orioles, the Yankees should have no trouble forging a victory against Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera (0-0, 5.94 ERA).

Cabrera, who went 1-3 with a 6.67 ERA in five starts against New York last season, actually had a strong outing on Saturday.

The 26-year-old righthander allowed just one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision as the Orioles rallied for a run in the top of the ninth inning to claim a 3-2 victory against the Rays.