Who said stealing was a crime?
Joba Chamberlain was stellar until he was removed when his pitch count struck 100, Melky Cabrera swiped two bases and scored a run and the bullpen brought it on home as the
Yanks edged the Padres 2-1 on a gorgeous afternoon in the Boogie Down. The Bombers completed the sweep of the Padres and picked up their lucky seventh win in a row.
Runs were at a premium Thursday afternoon and the Yankees proved they could squeeze 'em out even when limited to a fistful of hits. Jose Molina drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth and Alex Rodriguez singled in the go-ahead (and eventual winning) run in the sixth after Derek Jeter singled, stole second and advanced to third on a Bobby Abreu ground out. You don't have to be flashy to win ballgames as the Yanks finished the day with four stolen bases and took eight total in the three-game set.
I was at work for this one, but John and Suzy kept me in the know so I'll round this puppy up.
The Good:Joba Chamberlain. I thought it was foolish to move Joba from the pen to the rotation (and I stand by my theory), but that switch is paying dividends right now. With Wang out and the fifth starter job up in the air, the Yanks need Chamberlain to cement his role. And so far, so good. Chamberlain started hot, striking out the first two batters en route to an easy first inning. Things got hairy in the second, however, as Adrian Gonzalez singled, Chase Headley doubled and then Tony Clark walked to open the frame. But Joba dug deep and escaped the bases loaded, nobody out jam with no runs as he recorded two strikeouts and tagged out Gonzalez on a nifty block of the plate when a pitch skipped away from Molina. Again, I didn't "see" Joba's performance, but it sounded like he was in total control. The only downer was that Joe Girardi pulled the kid with two outs in the sixth. You can't predict the future, but Joba was one batter away from qualifying for his first win as a starter. Next time. Chamberlain's no-decision: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 9 K.
Melky Cabrera. The Melk-Man returns! Well, sort of. Melky has been struggling at the plate (.222 average during June heading into today's action) and he went hitless, but he made up for it with his eye and his legs. Cabrera drew a one-out walk in the fifth and promptly took second and third and eventually scored the tying run on Molina's sac fly. The hits can't be far behind, right? Cabrera finished 0 for 2 with a walk, a run scored and 2 stolen bases.
Mariano Rivera. They say time waits for no man, but Rivera may be the exception to the rule. The Sandman's resume speaks for itself, but he may be putting together his best season ever. Yeah, that sounds ridiculous since we're only in June and he's had some fantastic years, but the guy looks otherworldly in 2008. Rivera mowed down San Diego in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 opportunities this season. Rivera's afternoon: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
The Bad:Jason Giambi. The Yanks only managed five hits on the day and five starters clocked in 0'fers, but the Giambino pulled off the hat trick. Jay Jay struck out in all three of his at-bats Thursday (but reached on a hit-by-pitch in the fourth). I hope this doesn't mean the mustache is history. Giambi finished 0 for 3 with the 3 whiffs.
The Ugly:Fluid drained.
Hideki Matsui and the Yanks are downplaying his barking left knee, but I don't like what's going on one bit. Godzilla had the knee drained of fluid on Wednesday and said he was available to pinch-hit today. Girardi said Matsui would have played if Thursday's game was at night so that's a good sign. Still, I'm feeling paranoid with the rash of injuries the Yanks have had this year. I hope this thing doesn't linger.
The Yanks will welcome in the Cincinnati Reds for a weekend set beginning Friday night. Mike Mussina (10-4, 3.87 ERA) will face phenom Edinson Volquez (9-2, 1.64 ERA). Volquez has been a shining light for the Reds after coming over in a trade with the Texas Rangers. Eddie has recorded 105 strikeouts in 88 innings this season and is holding righty batters to a paltry .153 average. The Moose has four wins in his past five starts and has held Ken Griffey Jr. to a .156 average in 45 career at-bats.
Should be a good one.
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The bullpen has picked up the slack nicely since Joba moved to the starting rotation. Let's hope they can maintain it.