Hughes’ gem ruined by hamstring injury

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Phil Hughes was working on a no-hitter in the seventh inning of his second major league start when a hamstring injury cost him a chance to make history.

The New York Yankees’ prized prospect is expected to miss at least four weeks, a sour end to an otherwise encouraging night for the last-place club. New York responded to criticism from owner George Steinbrenner in a big way Tuesday with a 10-1 rout of the Texas Rangers.

Hank Blalock hit a leadoff double against reliever Mike Myers in the eighth inning for Texas’ first hit, not long after Hughes (1-1) became the latest Yankees pitcher to go down.

The 20-year-old right-hander, considered one of the top prospects in baseball, was cruising along in a dominant performance when he winced and grabbed the back of his left thigh after throwing an 0-2 breaking ball to Mark Teixeira with one out in the seventh. It was Hughes’ 83rd pitch.

“He said he felt a pop,” catcher Jorge Posada said.

Yankees Manager Joe Torre, pitching coach Ron Guidry and a trainer came out to the mound to check on Hughes, who was removed from the game and walked gingerly back to the dugout, where he received a warm reception from teammates.

Hughes walked three and struck out six. He left with a 9-0 lead. Alex Rodriguez had three hits for the Yankees to raise his batting average to .371.