McHugh lasted just 3.2 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out six in Thursday's loss to the Rangers.
Thursday marked the first time all season that McHugh couldn't get past the fourth inning. Things went south quickly for the right-hander after he cruised through the first two innings without allowing a baserunner. In the bottom of the third, the first four Rangers got aboard in what wound up being a three-run inning. The situation didn't improve when Prince Fielder sent a ball 414 feet into the stands to lead off the fourth. Two more hits in the inning and McHugh's day was over. His ERA ballooned back over 5.00 after a brief, two-game hiatus from the five-plus mark. Things won't exactly get any easier when he heads to St. Louis for his next start Wednesday.