mberardino@pioneerpress.com
When Phil Hughes takes the mound Saturday afternoon against Cleveland, the Twins right-hander will be hoping for a quicker start and a sharper cut fastball.
It took Hughes 51 pitches to negotiate the first two innings Sunday at Chicago, where the White Sox ripped five straight hits off him in the first inning. That came on the heels of a three-run second inning on Opening Day at Detroit, where Hughes allowed a pair of home runs, both on misplaced cutters.
Just four of Hughes' 98 pitches Sunday produced swing-and-miss strikes, while the White Sox fouled off a whopping 27 pitches.